Depression: the critical postmenopausal period

During menopause, the physiological decline in hormones exposes to the risk of several mental disorders. These include anxiety, irritability, restlessness, sadness, memory and concentration problems, but above all depression, which – according to some studies – can affect up to 70% of women in this difficult life transition.

However, it should not be overlooked that the problem can also significantly extend over the following years, in the post-menopausal period, after the last menstrual cycle: this is what was found in a study published in the official journal of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS). The authors involved 485 postmenopausal women between 35 and 78 years of age to determine the frequency of depressive symptoms and the possible correlation with any other factors regarding physical and mental health, as well as private and social life.

The analysis of the data collected revealed that about 41% of the women interviewed suffered from some form of depression. This condition was more common in widows, women separated from their partners or with several children to care for, or with a history of alcohol abuse, or who had a disability or a diagnosis of some type of mental or physical disorder.

According to the authors’ conclusions, the data emerging from the research are useful to raise awareness on the risk of depression in the postmenopause setting and, possibly, to reach an earlier diagnosis.