Coping With Menopause Depression

One of the concerns women have in later life is depression.Changes to their bodies can cause them to feel less feminine and cause them to withdraw from their noraml lifestyle.

Change of life is a natural process by which women, usually 45-55, begin to have changes physically, emotionally and mentally. Because of the changes to the women's body , depression is a big concern. This is, in part to the hormonal changes that their bodies are going through. A woman can start to have negative signs like irritability,short temper etc that would lead us to suspect that she's going through menopause. A woman naturally has a decline in her reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Progesterone, the hormone that regulates her monthly period will be produced less, causing ovulation to become less predictable. Estrogen, a female hormone, regulates the reproductive cycle. Once these hormones have decreased in the female body, changes will begin to occur. Women sometimes will be depressed due to these body changes. Women can develop facial or body hair, decrease in breast firmness,weight gain and irritability. This is a good time for a woman to visit with her physician, to diagnosis the "change of life".

There are multiple reasons why a woman may go through, what is called symptoms menopause.. Some women may experience a early total hysterectomy, which is the removal of all the female reproductive organs. Hysterectomy may be performed due to irregular or heavy periods,or due to development of tumours or cysts. Other women may experience this, due to chemo or radiation therapy.

Symptoms of the menopause can vary from one female to the next. Depression, being of high concern, is not the only thing that a women should expect to occur. There are other changes that can occur.Examples of menopausal symtoms are vaginal dryness,painful intercourse,vaginal itching etc.There may also be changes in sleep pattern.Carbohydrate craving may lead to increased abdominal fat. Thinning hair Acne Weight gain Memory loss Fatigue Mood changes Depression Hot flashes

Depression, one of the symptoms for menopause is also a mental disorder. One should suspect possible depression if sleep has been disturbed, sadness persists more than 2 weeks, there is a feeling of inadequacy, lack of interest in participating in particular activities ,that have been an interest prior to this change. Usually there is a pre-existing history of depression prior to the signs of the menopause symptoms. If you are suffering from depressive symptoms,it is very important to go and see your doctor as soon as possible. It is not a good idea to allow depression to go untreated. Women should make an appointment with their physician.. It may be that the depressed female may just need replacement hormone therapy, vitamins, antidepressants or some sort of mood altering medication, which her physician could prescribe.

Certain lifestyle changes and home remedies can help to make women feel better about themselves and no woman should have to live with depression.


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Faye Finlay has a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences. She works as a Health Researcher. Her Special Interest is in Women's Health. For more information on symptoms for menopause,please visit her website at http://www.thesymptomsofthemenopause.com