Perimenopausal women have a 40% higher risk of experiencing depression than premenopausal women, a global analysis of research suggests.
The research underlines the need to provide support and screening to effectively address women’s mental health needs.
Women typically go through the menopause aged 49 to 52, which has previously been found to be the point at which women experience the highest rates of depression.
Common mental health symptoms of perimenopause include low mood, anxiety, mood swings, low self-esteem and issues with memory and concentration.
It concluded that perimenopausal women were “at a significantly higher risk for depressive symptoms and diagnoses” – about 40% higher – compared with premenopausal women.
Researchers did not find a significantly increased risk for depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women, when compared with those who were premenopausal.
Having a previous history of depression has also been associated with depression in women with menopause, while other studies have said caring for both ageing parents and children may make women more vulnerable.
“Our findings show just how significantly the mental health of perimenopausal women can suffer during this time.
An international review of the literature indicates that perimenopausal women are forty percent more likely than premenopausal women to experience depression.
Women may be more susceptible to depression in the weeks before their periods stop, according to University College London (UCL) experts, who also discovered that preexisting symptoms may get worse. The findings emphasize the necessity of screening and support in order to adequately address the mental health needs of women.
Perinatectomy typically starts three to five years prior to menopause, according to the researchers. It has been observed that women experience the highest rates of depression between the ages of 49 and 52, when they typically go through the menopause.
Perimenopause is commonly associated with mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, low self-esteem, and memory and concentration problems. Hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, palpitations in the heart, aches and pains in the muscles, and weight gain are examples of physical symptoms.
The new study looked at data from seven studies involving 9,141 women from various countries, including Australia, the US, China, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. It was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
The study found that, in comparison to premenopausal women, perimenopausal women were “at a significantly higher risk for depressive symptoms and diagnoses”—roughly 40% higher.
Studies comparing postmenopausal women to premenopausal women did not reveal a statistically significant increase in the incidence of depressive symptoms.
They proposed that one biological explanation might be that the decline in oestrogen that women go through during menopause causes new symptoms to appear or pre-existing depression symptoms to worsen.
The metabolic processes of neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, endorphin, and serotonin) that regulate mood have all been found to be impacted by estrogen, according to their findings.
They added that while the evidence was inconclusive, night sweats can also result in sleep issues, which may also have an impact.
Previous research has linked depression to menopause-related depression in women, and other studies have suggested that women may be more susceptible if they are responsible for taking care of both aging parents and young children.
The study’s inability to take into consideration whether the women had a prior history of depression, according to the authors, was one of its limitations.
Yasmeen Badawy, the lead author, stated: “Combining data from global studies indicates that these findings cannot be attributed to cultural factors or lifestyle changes alone, which have been used to explain the depressive symptoms that women experience during perimenopause.”. “.
“This study shows that women in the perimenopausal stage are significantly more likely to experience depression than either before or after this stage,” senior author Dr. Roopal Desai stated.
“Our results highlight how critical it is to recognize that women in this stage of life are more susceptible to depression. It also emphasizes the necessity of screening and offering support to women in order to effectively address their mental health needs. “.
Those same researchers discovered in another study that therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness, may be a useful treatment for menopause symptoms that are not physical.
Prof. Aimee Spector, the corresponding author, stated: “Menopausal symptoms can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life and overall wellness, and they affect women for years of their lives.
Our research demonstrates the extent to which perimenopausal women’s mental health can deteriorate during this period. To make sure they get the right support and assistance in terms of health, at work, and at home, we need to raise awareness and provide more resources. “.
