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Menopause Depression
Why am I depressed?
Depression affects twice as many women as men. Midlife is
often considered a period of increased risk for depression
in women. It is not known why, but it may be related to having
a personal or family history of depression, life stressors,
and role changes. Menopause is often believed to be a time
when women are more likely to become depressed. Studies actually
show that menopause depression is more likely to occur in
the years during transition to. This period is associated
with gradual declines in estrogen levels. Some studies suggest
that changes in estrogen levels are associated with onset
of menopuase depression.
Menopause depression
What are the symptoms of depression during midlife?
The symptoms of depression in pregnancy are: two or more
weeks of depressed mood, decreased interest or pleasure in
activities, change in appetite, change in sleep patterns,
fatigue or loss of energy, difficulty concentrating, excessive
feeling of guilt or worthlessness, thoughts of suicide, extreme
restlessness and irritability. Many symptoms of menopause
overlap with symptoms of depression including problems with
sleep, physical symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, irritability,
anxiety and difficulty concentrating. Some women suffer needlessly
because they think these discomforts and problems are a natural
part of aging. Depression should not be dismissed as a normal
consequence of later life for women.
Depression that goes untreated can lead to more severe episodes
of depression and even physical complications. For example,
depression is associated with increased risk for heart attacks.
A recent study suggests that depression leads to loss of bone
mineral density, therefore increasing a women's risk for broken
bones.
What is menopause?
Menopause is the time in life when a woman stops having
menstrual periods. All women who live long enough will eventually
experience menopause. The average age for menopause is 51.
As a woman approaches menopause, her body gradually makes
less estrogen and progesterone hormone. As a result, most
women have symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness,
lower sex drive, urinary incontinence, and depression. Less
common symptoms include sleep disorders, dry skin, mood swings,
and fatigue.
ertain health problems, such as osteoporosis (brittle bones)
and increased heart disease, are associated with menopause.
To help prevent such problems, many women choose to take an
estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) or hormone replacement
therapy (HRT) to replace what their body is no longer producing.
Along with over the counter products, this is the primary
treatment for the symptoms of menopause.
Lifestyle changes can also help relieve or prevent menopausal
symptoms. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods can
help prevent hot flashes. Keeping cool and dressing in loose
layers of natural fabrics such as cotton can help reduce the
discomfort of a hot flash. Kegel exercises can strengthen
pelvic muscles, preventing urine leaks and improving bladder
control. Regular exercise can help prevent osteoporosis and
heart disease. It can also lessen symptoms of menopause depression.
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