Fighting 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.