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Feeling down as you approach menopause? You’re not alone. There’s a strong connection between menopause and depression.
Sure, you’re familiar with the physical symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes and sleep issues. But did you know that your risk of depression ramps up during this phase of your life?
Menopause depression isn’t just about mood swings and midlife crises. It’s a serious mental health issue. So, if you’re feeling depressed, don’t brush it off. It might be time to seek professional help.
Read on to learn more about the link between depression and menopause and how you can treat menopause-related depression.
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Menopause brings a whirlwind of hormonal changes that can trigger mood disorders like major depression. This happens because your ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone. These hormones help regulate your mood by acting on neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin.
Plus, these hormonal changes can mess with your sleep — another factor in mood regulation.
There’s a strong link between low estrogen and depression, according to research.
One 2023 systematic review suggests that perimenopausal and postmenopausal women are more likely to develop anxiety and depression.
Perimenopause refers to the transition to menopause, which is when you haven’t had your period for at least 12 months.
The review authors also point out that women in menopause are more likely to experience hormone-related depression if they have:
Hot flashes
A history of clinical depression
Difficult life experiences around the same period
Persistent anxiety
Additional research from 2024 notes that perimenopausal women often deal with the following stressful life events, which can worsen depression:
Aging parents
Career anxiety
Planning for retirement
Caring for older children
Has it been at least 12 months since your last period? You’ve likely officially hit menopause. But you can experience symptoms of perimenopausal depression even before reaching this stage.
Signs of menopause include::
Difficulty concentrating (“brain fog”)
Forgetfulness
Hot flashes
Irregular periods
Low energy levels
Mood changes
Night sweats
Sleep problems
Vaginal dryness
If you’re in perimenopause, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for the following symptoms of depression in women:
Appetite changes
Fatigue
Feelings of sadness
Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness
Irritability
Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
Restlessness
Sleeping too much or too little
Thoughts of death and suicide
Weight changes
Healthcare professionals diagnose depression if you’ve experienced low mood and other depression-related symptoms for at least two weeks.
If you think you’re experiencing depression, consider speaking with a healthcare professional (like a GP, psychiatrist, or therapist).
What about anxious feelings? Does menopause cause anxiety? Hormone shifts and depression during menopause can also lead to anxiety.
Learn more in our guide to hormones and anxiety.
Dealing with menopausal depression can be tough, but you can manage it in a healthy way.
If you’re feeling down, talk to a healthcare professional about how you’re feeling. They might recommend therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a mix of all three.
Remember, help is available, and you don’t have to go through this alone.
Talk therapy or psychotherapy is one of the most effective ways to treat depression. It involves talking with a mental health professional about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
The following types of therapy can be effective for depression:
Mindfulness-based therapy
Psychodynamic therapy
If you’re interested in trying out therapy, take a look at our guide to finding a therapist.
Antidepressants can balance the neurotransmitters that tend to go out-of-whack during perimenopause.
Common antidepressants include:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like fluoxetine or sertraline
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as venlafaxine, which may also be helpful for hot flashes
Tricyclic antidepressants
Quick tip: Don’t expect results overnight. These medications can take several weeks to produce their full effects. So, hang in there and be patient.
It’s not 100% clear whether hormone therapy can improve major depressive disorder in menopausal women. But it may be something to consider bringing up with your healthcare provider.
A 2022 study found that by restoring hormone levels, HRT might reduce the impact of menopause on your mood.
However, another 2022 study on Danish perimenopausal women suggests a link between HRT and depression. Though it’s important to point out that the study doesn’t clarify whether HRT was a direct cause of depression or whether women with depression chose HRT to treat their symptoms.
Besides potential mood improvement, HRT can also ease physical menopause symptoms.
Here are some self-care habits that might help lift your mood during menopause:
Getting regular exercise
Making healthy changes to your diet
Having a regular sleep schedule
Engaging in mindful meditation
Spending more time with loved ones
Practicing enjoyable hobbies
Journaling regularly
We know making these changes can be tough, especially if you’re living with depression. If you’re finding it hard to start, therapy could be a great first step. A therapist can guide you through self-care practices and help you build healthy coping strategies.
As you age, your period tapers off and eventually stops altogether, marking the transition to menopause. This hormonal shift can increase the risk of symptoms of menopause and depression.
Here’s what you need to know about menopause-related depression:
It’s common. Hormonal changes happen to everyone who hits menopause, increasing the risk of depression. So you’re not alone in feeling down during this time.
It causes low mood and more. Feelings of worthlessness, fatigue, and hopelessness may indicate clinical depression. If your low mood impacts your daily life, speak with a healthcare professional.
It’s treatable. Therapy, medication, and healthy lifestyle changes can help support your mental health and improve your quality of life.
Menopausal depression is common, but that doesn’t mean you have to get through it alone. Help is available. Connect with a mental health provider through Hers.
They can review your symptoms, medical history, and review your treatment options, including medication and therapy.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Dr. Daniel Z. Lieberman is the senior vice president of mental health at Hims & Hers and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at George Washington University. Prior to joining Hims & Hers, Dr. Lieberman spent over 25 years as a full time academic, receiving multiple awards for teaching and research. While at George Washington, he served as the chairman of the university’s Institutional Review Board and the vice chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Dr. Lieberman’s has focused on , , , and to increase access to scientifically-proven treatments. He served as the principal investigator at George Washington University for dozens of FDA trials of new medications and developed online programs to help people with , , and . In recognition of his contributions to the field of psychiatry, in 2015, Dr. Lieberman was designated a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is board certified in psychiatry and addiction psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
As an expert in mental health, Dr. Lieberman has provided insight on psychiatric topics for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy.
Dr. Lieberman studied the Great Books at St. John’s College and attended medical school at New York University, where he also completed his psychiatry residency. He is the coauthor of the international bestseller , which has been translated into more than 20 languages and was selected as one of the “Must-Read Brain Books of 2018” by Forbes. He is also the author of . He has been on and to discuss the role of the in human behavior, , and .
1992: M.D., New York University School of Medicine
1985: B.A., St. John’s College, Annapolis, Maryland
2022–Present: Clinical Professor, George Washington University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
2013–2022: Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, George Washington University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
2010–2022: Professor, George Washington University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
2008–2017: Chairman, George Washington University Institutional Review Board
2022: Distinguished Life Fellow, American Psychiatric Association
2008–2020: Washingtonian Top Doctor award
2005: Caron Foundation Research Award
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Lieberman, D. Z., Swayze, S., & Goodwin, F. K. (2011). An automated Internet application to help patients with bipolar disorder track social rhythm stabilization. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.), 62(11), 1267–1269. https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/ps.62.11.pss6211_1267?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed
Lieberman, D. Z., Massey, S. H., & Goodwin, F. K. (2010). The role of gender in single vs married individuals with bipolar disorder. Comprehensive psychiatry, 51(4), 380–385. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010440X0900128X?via%3Dihub
Lieberman, D. Z., Kolodner, G., Massey, S. H., & Williams, K. P. (2009). Antidepressant-induced mania with concomitant mood stabilizer in patients with comorbid substance abuse and bipolar disorder. Journal of addictive diseases, 28(4), 348–355. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20155604
Lieberman, D. Z., Montgomery, S. A., Tourian, K. A., Brisard, C., Rosas, G., Padmanabhan, K., Germain, J. M., & Pitrosky, B. (2008). A pooled analysis of two placebo-controlled trials of desvenlafaxine in major depressive disorder. International clinical psychopharmacology, 23(4), 188–197. https://journals.lww.com/intclinpsychopharm/abstract/2008/07000/a_pooled_analysis_of_two_placebo_controlled_trials.2.aspx