Menopause And Depression - Menopause

Menopause And Depression: Are They Related?

There are many symptoms associated with menopause which may be either physical or mental. Menopause and depression are often interrelated as far as mental or emotional symptoms are concerned. Depression is in fact one of the more prominent conditions experienced during menopause by most women.

While menopause is not really considered to be a direct trigger of depression, they do often occur at the same time. It is believed that the depression is a result of the changes in estrogen level which occur during menopause. Women are predisposed to getting depressed about twice as much as men and a family history of depression can trigger the condition even more.

The symptoms of depression and menopause are usually similar and include hot flashes, fatigue, anxiety, sleep disorders and irritability. Many women tend to associate these symptoms of depression to menopause. However, they should be looked at as signs of depression that should be understood and dealt with.

A women going through menopause does not need to be depressed. It is best to start accepting the physical changes concerned with menopause and work with the physician to deal with the menopausal symptoms. Also, depression and menopause can be mutually exclusive and can be dealt with individually with adequate treatment.

Untreated depression can become a severe health risk and can lead to increased risk of heart disease. It may also lead to osteoporosis, bone degenerative disease which is also associated with menopause. Therefore, it is very important to seek treatment to alleviate stress and depression symptoms.

The treatment for menopause and depression can be administered in two ways. Depression needs to be treated with not only antidepressants such as Prozac but also counseling sessions. Menopause treatment is also necessary to alleviate depression symptoms and possible options include the HRT or hormone replacement therapy. HRT uses synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone to even out the hormone imbalance in the patient.

At home, a proper diet and exercise can help relieve both symptoms of depression as well as menopause. Keeping the body healthy contributes significantly to the production of mood lifting hormones. Taking walks or starting something new like a hobby will also help in getting rid of depression symptoms. Talking to others who are going through the same phase or joining a support network is also conducive to good emotional and physical wellbeing without any traces of depression or menopausal symptoms.

If the depression persists, do consult a doctor to see if there are any other problems affecting you. Talking to a counselor is also a good idea if the symptoms are a little too traumatic. Usually depression and menopause have very little to do with each other and the former can be a symptom of something else going on in life. You can help yourself here by staying informed and making any necessary changes where you can.