As a woman reaches midlife and menopause, a frequent symptom of menopause is that of depression. Menopause is not always the reason behind depression, yet in many cases both appear at the same time. In fact, the level of hormones and especially estrogen that is usually produced in the female body decreases considerably during menopause, which is often one of the main reasons of depression. It is thought that depression affects women twice as much as men, a women in the menopause age range of 45-60 are possibly nearly 4 times more likely to have depression than other women not in this age group.

There are quite a few other symptoms that are usually related to menopause, namely sleep disorders, anxiety, fatigue and irritability. These symptoms may have been directly brought on by menopause, but they could also be increasing the possibility of a woman suffering from depression. In fact, as the woman approaches menopause, her menstrual cycles start to vary and become irregular. Erratic ovulation in turn creates irregular release of the hormones progesterone and estrogen, which can be connected to serotonin production and is in-turn connected with brain functions and could result in such symptoms as forgetfulness, irritability, anxiety and mood swings. These symptoms can obviously affect the psychological condition of the woman, possibly leading to depression.

Yet another cause of depression during menopause is the fact that it may be quite difficult for a woman to accept the physical changes occurring in her body during this period. Many menopausal women experience the feeling that they are loosing control of the body, whereas in reality menopause is merely a natural occurrence within the aging process. Even the process of aging can be quite stressful to women who, over the years, have learnt to lay a little too much emphasis on their physical appearance due to social expectations. It is precisely for this reason that aging is more easily accepted by men.

Another reason for depression during menopause is lack of sleep. Indeed, broken sleep patterns due to hot flashes, night sweats and other physical conditions during menopause often result in anger, mood swings and irritability, which can gravitate into depression, especially if they begin to affect a women’s personal and professional relationships.

Untreated depression can become a serious health risk. Depression can be classed as having a sense of melancholy, an inability to complete small daily, normal and regular activities, a sense of wanting removal from public life and general pessimistic thoughts.

At this point women need to take action to reduce the possibility of reaching depression. Proactive life stage changes are an excellent place to begin. Regular exercise twice or three times a week can help in correcting sleep patterns, while also helping you to focus your energy and forget about emotions for a while. A good healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables — natural nutrients and vitamins and most importantly regular meals can help to make you feel more lifted emotionally and energized. Alternative therapies such as massage, yoga and meditation can also help the woman to feel more relaxed and accept bodily changes in a more positive way. A natural way to help balance hormones is LadyCare — a small magnetic device developed in the UK and used in more than 14 countries worldwide. There have been some strong testimonials on the success women have gained from LadyCare in relieving many menopause symptoms. Ladycare has undergone a large consumer survey with over 500 women in the UK with powerful results.

Above all, during this time it is helpful if a woman is part of an understanding relationship with a partner or a special friend whom they can talk to about the life stage they are in and with whom they discuss the possible symptoms and changes they may be experiencing. In some cases seeking professional advice from your Doctor is a sensible step.

The comments on this page are for informational purposes only. We do not provide any medical advice. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any health problem, or replace professional advice from a qualified medical expert