Menopause and Depression: The Link and What Helps

Depression is one such disorder that causes a lot of difficulty in many women during menopause. Incapability to concentrate, melancholy, insomnia, etc., which are other names of depression, are considered to be prime symptoms of menopause.

Menopause and Depression

Menopause itself is quite a painful thing, and over that depression can kill the confidence and morale of women. Therefore it becomes very important for women facing menopause to know about the connection between them. This will help them to know that this is common and they are not alone; there are lots of other women facing such a problem. Therefore understanding it can help you to ease your mind.

Outlined below is a brief note on depression during menopause which can help you to understand the condition in a better way.

A significant number of women – about 18% among women in early perimenopause and 38% of those in late perimenopause – experience symptoms of depression.

This is because of the sudden changes in the hormonal cycle which are either left unnoticed or disconcerted.

    Learn here → How hormone imbalance can cause depression and anxiety, and what you can do to manage these conditions.

Those women who are addicted to alcohol, or smoking, those having stress due to work, those who had problems of depression in their early twenties, etc., are more prone to depression during menopause.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood levels. The estrogen level also goes down at the same time which makes women more anxious or depressed. The change in the mood level during menopause makes women more confused and sad thus causing depression.

Besides hormonal changes, personal perception also plays a role in causing depression during menopause. You feel like you are worthless, you sweat profusely, your skin gets dry and sags, and you also become prone to hypertension and high blood pressure. During the depression, the metabolism level of women also goes down thus making it difficult for them to burn the excess fats.

But you don’t have to worry as depression during menopause is not a major problem, it can be easily overcome.

How to Overcome Menopause Depression

There are many ways you can follow to waive off the problems of depression during menopause. Some of the best-known ways are outlined below to help you fight the condition.

Consult a doctor: The doctor can surely help you as he/she can provide good medication after effectively diagnosing the problem. Women facing cardiovascular or high blood pressure problems may not be that lucky as not all medicines may work for them.

In a scientific report published in PubMed Central, a systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence that antidepressants are effective for the treatment of depressive disorders for women during and after menopausal transition.

Antidepressants can help to treat menopausal depression. Selected Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, an antidepressant medicine, can prove to be effective for women to fight depression during menopause. This is because such antidepressant medicine increases the level of serotonin in the brain which therefore controls the mood levels of women.

HRT, which is an abbreviation of Hormonal Replacement Therapy, is gaining popularity day by day. In this method, the level of estrogen is controlled which therefore helps to stop the symptoms of menopause like insomnia, irritability, hot flashes, etc. to some extent. Consult a reputed doctor and see if this therapy can work for you or not.

Natural Remedies for Depression during Menopause

Psychotherapy and Counseling: Psychotherapy is considered to be one of the best ways can help women to fight depression during menopause. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps women to think positively, thus eliminating the signs of depression (negative thinking).

If you are feeling low and depressed then take a counseling session with a psychologist. The psychologist can help you to get out of depression with the help of his expert techniques and experience.

Opt for herbal therapies and medicines: Herbal therapies and medicines can ensure a smooth recovery without affecting the body with side effects as in the cases of antidepressants or other medicines.

Certain herbs like St. John's Wort and black cohosh have been traditionally used to relieve menopausal symptoms, including mood disturbances.

You can easily get herbal medicines online or even at a local drugstore. Before purchasing the medicine consult the doctor once about whether the herbal medicine would be effective for your body type or not.

Sage leaf, Hesperidin, vitamins, etc., are some of the herbs that can help you stop the symptoms of menopause and therefore depression.

    Learn more here on → Natural Remedies and Herbs for Depression

Yoga and Meditation, and Exercise: Practicing yoga and meditation are considered to be an effective step toward achieving good physical and mental health. These two things are considered to be the most relaxing ones and therefore allow you to have a piece of mind. Meditation and yoga can treat depression to a great extent as it helps you to think positively and avail good mental health.

Also, engaging in regular physical activity can do wonders for your mood. Find activities that bring you joy, like taking brisk walks in nature, going for a refreshing swim, or practicing calming yoga poses. Exercise releases endorphins, the natural mood boosters.

Have the right nutrition: Having the right diet and performing regular exercises can surely help you to get the right blend of mental and physical health. Phytoestrogen-rich foods can help you to stay healthy during menopause. Foodstuffs like soy milk and green vegetables can ease the decline of estrogen in the body which is one of the causes of depression during menopause.

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish (salmon, mackerel) and flaxseeds, may have a positive impact on mood. Alternatively, omega-3 supplements can be considered with guidance from a healthcare professional.

    Learn more here on → Foods for Fighting Depression.

Take a needful break from your stressful life: Menopause and depression have a strong connection and a stressful life during such a phase can give a boost to depression. Therefore taking a break and going out for a small outing can help you to ease your stress levels which can therefore ease depression.

Write down your problems in a diary: If you could write down the problems faced by you in a diary then it could help you to overcome the changes in mood swings, thus helping you to think positively.

Conclusion

Menopause can impact the quality of your life and can even cause depression. Depression during menopause can hurt women and it can take a mental and physical toll on women. Therefore it becomes essential to understand menopause and depression and take help to get over it.

The natural remedies discussed above might lend a helping hand. But, keep in mind that these suggestions aren't a substitute for professional advice, so consulting with a healthcare professional is essential.