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    How To Combat Depression During Menopause?

    Many women go through menopause with no emotional changes in any respect. Some women experience a feeling of relief or even elation in the new freedom that menopause gifts: freedom from pregnancy and monthly menses. For many others however, menopause is associated with symptoms which are like the emotional changes seen before their menstrual cycle: fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, or moderate depression.

    Psychological Changes

    These signs are similar to those of PMS. The psychological changes found in menopause are often associated with hot flashes and sleeplessness (an disruption of REM sleep). The amount of women suffering from depression during the menopausal years is more than the 8 to 10 percent incidence that’s observed during the reproductive years. Two groups of women are at increased risk: those undergoing surgical menopause (surgical removal of the uterus ) and those with a prior history of depression.

    In surgical menopause, the abrupt drop in the amount of both estrogen and androgen (male hormone) is correlated with a higher incidence of psychological changes and depression.

    Stressful Events

    These are also known to trigger psychological changes and depression. Stressful life events coincide with menopause, which might make it harder to ascertain the reason for the mood changes. Family or work situations may gas exhaustion, sadness, or low energy level, all of which are symptoms which could be deep in a clinical depression. When a woman has an underlying depression, the reduced levels of estrogen found in menopause, or perimenopause, may accentuate the melancholy. Many women need no treatment for symptoms associated with menopause.

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    Others prefer to test dietary modifications (phytoestrogens), exercise and psychotherapy before considering a trial of medication. Helpful drugs include estrogen, which relieves hot flashes and so helps promote restful sleep. Some women feel better on estrogen even if they’re not suffering from hot flashes. Women who have undergone surgical menopause might benefit from the inclusion of testosterone (androgen) if they suffer significant psychological symptoms that aren’t relieved by estrogen alone.

    Conclusion

    I hope this gives you an insight into the psychological changes that occur during menopause. Is it wise to stop the antidepressants and see how she does on the hormones? No. Treating her depression is a must and continuing the antidepressants is appropriate. When she feels well, it could be possible to taper off her antidepressants. But even then, it must just be carried out with the support and advice of her psychiatrist. I hope she feels better soon.

     

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