Depression in menopausal women: What you need to know

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Women reaching perimenopause and menopause often experience depression and anxiety, which is due to a decrease in the hormone Estrogen, specifically Estradiol. When women experience symptoms of depression, women should consult a psychologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Menopause is an important milestone in women's health. During this period, women experience many physical and psychological changes. One of the health problems that menopausal women face is the high risk of depression.
The average age of onset of depression in postmenopausal women is between 40 and 50 years old.

1. Manifestations of depression in postmenopausal women

Psychological, behavioral and emotional changes such as: Sadness, moodiness, frustration, irritability, frequent feeling of fatigue, sluggishness, difficulty concentrating and low self-esteem; decreased enthusiasm in daily activities...
Sleep disorder, not sleeping well, not sleeping deeply, waking up many times during the night.
Eat poorly, eat poorly, sometimes eat too much.
Rapid weight loss, decreased sex drive, paranoia and hallucinations.
Women in menopause often have autonomic disorders with manifestations such as: Sweating, palpitations, palpitations, chest tightness, digestive problems, bloating, flatulence, indigestion , neurological and muscular symptoms...
Often feel depressed and have thoughts of giving up, taking little care of themselves or their families.

2. Causes of depression in menopausal women

Studies have shown that menopausal women have problems with hormone balance in the body, especially hormonal hormones. The drastic drop in estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause is considered a key factor that puts women at high risk of depression. Other causes of depression in postmenopausal women include:
Having vasomotor disorders. Have used hormone replacement therapy. Have a history of depression and use of anti-depressants. Diseases common in perimenopausal and menopausal women, including sleep disorders, also make women highly depressed. Some factors that easily cause cardiovascular disease such as smoking, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes,... have an influence. to the risk of depression in postmenopausal women. Have a bone problem such as osteoporosis or a recent fracture. Premature ovarian failure. Life pressure comes from problems such as not having a home, not having children, or experiencing psychological trauma related to loved ones, happiness in life, work, health and illness. Symptoms of perimenopause such as hot flashes, trouble sleeping, frequent nervousness, bone pain, memory loss, ... are easy causes of depression in menopausal women.

3. Treatment of depression in menopausal women

When seeing the above symptoms of depression, women need psychological counseling to promptly detect and treat depression early.
Currently, using hormone replacement therapy is considered an important solution to treat depression in postmenopausal women, however, this method also has the potential to cause some cancers. determined.
In addition, women at this stage need to have a nutritious diet, need to increase exercise and sports, can participate in light subjects such as meditation, yoga, join clubs to increase their weight. strengthen communication, share, repel negative thoughts, avoid stress.
If you have been diagnosed with depression and prescribed an antidepressant, you should continue to take the medication as directed, do not arbitrarily stop taking the drug when the symptoms of the disease have subsided.
Should live close to relatives and friends to be shared and encouraged to overcome this period.
Psychological Clinic - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital officially went into operation from April 2019 as a place with the function of examining, consulting and outpatient treatment of psychological and mental health problems. .
The clinic is invested with modern equipment, comfortable facilities. The team of experienced doctors is capable of deploying psychological tests, intensive psychotherapy to serve the treatment of psychological diseases, including depression in menopausal women.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.