- A new study reports that women are more likely to develop depression during perimenopause than in the pre-menopause or post-menopause stages of their life.
- Researchers recommend that medical professionals screen women for depression during their perimenopausal years.
- About 10% of women may develop depressive symptoms during their lifetime.
Women are at a higher risk of developing depression symptoms during the perimenopause stage of their life than in their premenopause or postmenopause years, according to a new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
Researchers completed a meta-review to estimate the risk of developing clinical depression and depressive symptoms during the different stages of menopause. The analysis included seven research papers with a total of 11,965 participants. The studies:
- Were peer-reviewed
- Were longitudinal prospective studies
- Used females over 18 who were pre-, peri- or postmenopausal
- Assessed the difference between the different stages of menopause
- Used standard inventories for symptoms of depression
In all the studies, the researchers used each woman’s health history as a control measurement, comparing before and post menopause stages to mental health during perimenopause.
The researchers concluded that the risk of depression in perimenopause highlights the need for screening and support for this group of women.
“As providers, we very often see patients that are going through menopause,” said Dr. Cielo Gnecco, an obstetrician and gynecologist with Orlando Health Women’s Institute Center for Obstetrics & Gynecology in Florida who was not involved in the study. “We tend to focus on hot flashes, low libido, and mood changes that can be associated with menopause. As a provider that deals with menopausal patients so often, I could definitely be more proactive about screening my patients for depression…
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