One of the less discussed symptoms of menopause is depression. A new study published this month in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), confirmed that perimenopause is linked to an increased risk of depression due to changing hormone levels, even among women with no history of depression. But experts agree that dealing with menopausal symptoms (night sweats, hot flashes, sleep disruption) can help to improve mood. Medications like antidepressants and HRT can be effective treatments for some women.
Have you experienced depression during your menopause journey? How have you taken care of your mental health?– Caria Community
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29Real experiences shared by the community, from the original discussion to today.
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Cari6 years ago
I sometimes feel like my mood is all over the place and sometimes I don’t feel like myself. I don’t sleep good some nights.
Michelle6 years ago
I haven’t seen anyone.
Kchelle6 years ago
For certain I have experienced more depression since entering menopause/post-menopause. Making matters more challenging to navigate is the degree to which we’ve been socialized to avoid “taboo” subjects at all costs. Leaving those of us who are experiencing menopause and the subsequent grief and depression that can often follow in a unfortunate predicament. We must educate, enlighten and allow the power of our unedited stories to transform us, those around us and the world at large.
Cat6 years ago
Completely agree with you Kchelle, talking until this subject is normalised throughout society is the way forward. Women should not be made to feel isolated and vulnerable as a result of a natural body process.
Kchellereplying to Cat6 years ago
Yes, yes, yes Cat! I love “talking until this subject is normalized”! We must for who else will? Thank you for replying. I plan to special podcast series. Do let me know if you’d be willing to share your experience. ?
Catreplying to Kchelle6 years ago
Would be happy to x
Marg6 years ago
Anxiety increases 2/3 days prior to menstrual cycle and feels easier towards end of the cycle. I find this occurrence every month whether I bleed or not. I am currently taking SSRI’s for existing depression and/or suicidal thoughts but do keep wondering if dosage is appropriate due to these regular episodes occurring. Only other query is being told I do say the most hurtful things yet I have no knowledge or recollection so doubt these statements and fear am I being used whilst vulnerable during these times? (This is completely out of character to the person I feel I am and only comes from 1 source)
Michelle6 years ago
I have definitely noticed more dark days since peri menopause and more so as time has gone by. Obviously there are loads of changes going on inside and out for us during this time in life and it is really difficult to accept and go with it. Woman don’t get a lot of support or help during menopause and there is no information out there which makes it more daunting. If only menopause was brought up and discussed in the same manner as other health related conditions. This can be a very dark lonely journey. It makes you feel like you’re going crazy at times with no one to talk to about it all, no wonder we feel depressed. ?
Cat6 years ago
Your words are exactly those I would use to describe my own journey Michelle, dark, lonely and a sense of going crazy.
Kchelle6 years ago
Michelle, I feel your pain. The isolation is perhaps the most difficult aspect for me. Thank you for sharing. We are not alone. ❤️
Diane6 years ago
I’m going through depression now. I’ve fought it for the past 18 months. I’ve tried reflexology (which helps), I’ve tried supplements. This week has been dreadful. My kids hate me, I don’t want to be with my friends, and my husband has almost reached breaking point. I've just made an appointment to see my doctor to discuss antidepressants. I’m frightened. I’m ashamed and I think I’m losing my mind. I put it all down to the menopause. I was always a fun, happy and outgoing person. I am none of these now. I hate myself as much as everyone else does. I need help with this before it’s too late.
Roxanne6 years ago
I’m so sorry to hear you are feeling this way. I understand what it feels like to hate yourself. Please know that there is nothing to be ashamed of, knowing you need help and asking for it is brave and wonderful. My family also have to put up with my depression and at my lowest points I think they must hate me as much as I do, they don’t but they might not know what the right thing is to do. My only advice is to talk to them all about how you feel and what you need. As a society we think we should shield our children from ‘bad’ feelings but all feelings are valid and by being open with them they can learn how to manage their own. I wish you well xx
Cat6 years ago
I have felt this too at times Diane, but have been completely unable to frame it in words to my family and friends. You are not alone, find a way to reach out to just one person if you possibly can. There is some light there somewhere I promise you xx
Kimberly6 years ago
You make me feel validated. I’m struggling as well, and feel that dark shame/hate for what is happening to me. I feel like who I was is no longer. I did reach out to psychiatrist and began medication. I’m hoping it helps me COPE with the inevitable changes I’m going through. I’m embarrassed and ashamed of who I am. But I know logically that I am loved by those who have always loved me. Please try to be very open and honest with those who WILL support you. The more you speak openly to those around you, the more they will believe that something is really happened to you. Please be kind to yourself, the way you would be kind to anyone in front of you that needed help. I’m on your side and I care...
Sarah6 years ago
Please go talk to your doctor! I have struggled with depression since my 20’s, but it got really bad after my first baby. It took me forever to go talk to my doctor, and then I was terrified of taking pills - I thought they would make me feel nothing or numb. They actually just made me feel like myself again. I was so glad I went. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find the right medication and dosage for you, but find a doctor you can trust and who listens!
Corrine6 years ago
Awww bless you Diane. I was just like this and my doctor suggested Prozac. It has helped me enormously and I now feel like my old self again. I have the odd moody day but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I understand that people are wary of taking antidepressants but, for me they have given me back my life xx
Meredith5 years ago
That is such a scary, dark, place to be and I’m so sorry you are going through it. I can tell you that you are not alone, for me sometimes it helps with my shame just knowing that other ppl are in that place too, so it can’t just be something “wrong” with us, right? Going to the doctor and hopefully starting a course of treatment will help immensely, even tho it doesn’t feel like it right now, just keep moving forward. I’m sending you all of the positive vibes and energy I can, and I really hope you feel better soon. Please force yourself to do self-care too! Reflexology, massage, anything that allows you to at least not think about things for a moment. For me, it’s painting with YouTube tutorials. I was always a person who thought that stuff was for people who had more time or whatever, but I’ve come to a point where what I was doing wasn’t working, so I’m like let me just do what makes me feel good and happy even if it seems silly to me. I’m amazed at how much it has helped, and I hope if you are able to find something like that it will help you. ❤️?
Reagan5 years ago
I have had depression. Antidepressants made me feel normal, again. I was resistant, but they are so helpful. It just feels like my chemical make-up is being rebalanced. I really hope that you get the care that you need and deserve!
Roxanne6 years ago
I have had depression on and off since my early 20s along with a whole host of other symptoms. At the age of 39 I finally got a doctor who listened to me and diagnosed peri menopause. She suspects I have had low oestrogen for most of my adult life. I’ve been on oestrogen gel for the past year and whilst I still have low moods from time to time I literally feel like a different person, one I remember from 20 years ago who has been lost in a fog. If you feel low please know you are worthy, seek help and persevere to get the right help that works for you xx
Aurora5 years ago
Same for me depression on and off since I was 20 also. Periods were irregular for 20-35. No doctors would listen to my Symptoms and tell me it was stress or depression. In the last 3 years my Periods have been all over the place and lasting up to 12 days stop for 3-5 days and start again. Pushed enough that my family doctor made an appointment with a gynaecologist for me. Who than said yes you are Pre-menopausal. Why do we have to fight to get someone to listen to us when we say OUR body is not functioning like it should.
Cat6 years ago
Yes, yes, YES! So much more medical research is needed to explore the link between menopause and depression, we are currently only just scratching the surface and a very high percentage of medical professionals seem to be blissfully unaware leaving so many women struggling when there is just no need. Up until my early 40’s I had never experienced any kind of mental health or depression issues, then it hit me like a ton of air and it took me over 5 years to make any sense of what was happening to me. It was an understanding doctor who took the time to listen and explore my symptoms that made the link and I was so surprised as I had never heard of this connection. Ladies there is light in your darkness, keep asking for help, this is treatable in so many ways and the symptoms do eventually begin to move on. I am 47 now and starting to feel like I have rediscovered a new and improved version of the pre menopausal me.
LLuLLu3 years ago
When perimenopause was over, or starting to end did the symptoms also go away or become a lot less? Did you/do really feel yourself again? I am honestly miserable! Since Perimenopause started I’ve never felt worse! I’ve never had any depression, anxiety, confusion (omg brain fog/anxiety is the absolute worse) and I would love to know there are better days coming.. because right it feels like the end! I’m 46 and this hell I believe now (after a crazy amount of research) may have started when I was 39/40, but hit my hard when I turned 44, right when Covid and the world was falling apart! I can only wish hope and pray is coming to and end soon since it’s been 6 maybe 7 years. ??
Her eggship6 years ago
I have bipolar which in my instance is governed by my hormones, and as I’ve entered peri meno (I’m 48) I’ve noticed that my depression has become much more deeper and longer episodes, I feel like I’m absolutely losing my mind and not myself at all which then causes more depression!!!!??????
Elizabeth6 years ago
In my early 40’s I suffered a huge breakdown. Tbh my life has never been the same since. My gran at this time mentioned that she thought I was going through ‘the change’. I dismissed it thinking I was too young, I had a psychiatrist who was giving me all kinds of meds and care and suggestions for depression and even bipolar. As the years went by and my body started changing I started learning more about the menopause and started to understand it’s not only no periods and hot flashes. That there’s so much more to it. The more I read, the more I realized my gran could well have been right and that I was probably peri menopausal and was suffering all the joys it brings. In fact many peri symptoms are not dissimilar to bipolar depression. Now ten or so years later I have menopaused, had my ovary removed and still suffer badly from many symptoms doctors will just label depression/ break down etc. I’m still trying very hard to lead a normal life and get Dr’s to understand how life changing the menopause is. It can’t be written off with a bottle of antidepressants. I struggled to find a specialist to help me, feeling quite hopeless and life was passing me by. Thankfully in the last month I’ve had a full blood count/ test which has shown what’s lacking and what’s too much. I have been taking bio identical creams for the last 2 months. It’s helped with hot flashes which is something, but there’s so much more. HRT is a science and a not one fits all. Pursue and persist ladies. Don’t let anyone fob you off. Nobody knows you like you and you deserve to live a full life. It’s a struggle .... teenagers are known for going through difficult and different time when their hormones kick in. Why so is knowledge so limited for another hormonal period in life, the menopause. Hang in there!
Bev5 years ago
Hiya hun can I ask what bio identical creams ur taking/using plzzzz. I also had a breakdown 5ys ago (I’m 55 now) I was & still am on HRT, my Mam died (who was more like my soul mate) ? then 2wks later my Dog ? died ? (he was only 6ys) & I just couldn’t cope without them both so I took a overdose & I really wanted to go & be with them (also my Dad died 10ys ago), my partner & my brother found me ? I was in hospital 4days & got offered no help, I went to my Dr’s & she put me on antidepressants which sort of help but I still wish my partner & my brother never found me xx
Lilly6 years ago
I have continually spoken to doctors about how I feel. I am now 50 and I can honestly say for the last 5 years at least! I have found myself questioning myself and my decisions I have made throughout my life Marriage, work and children it has left me feeling anxious, low mood and wondering how my life can continue as I feel! No thoughts of ending my life, just massive changes that would hurt my loved ones who have tried to support me through this, I have tried numerous antidepressants and am currently trying HRT for the second time! I hope there is something that changes or works this time as I would hate to think that “this is me” for however long Depressing to say the least
R’gal6 years ago
Lilly, I know the feeling. My daughter is at her wits end. My constant mood swings accompanied with the despondency, not wanting to do anything, taking no pleasure in life, low self-esteem and avoiding friends and social occasions (even a call over Zoom is hard); all add up to a Molotov mix and I am not a good person to be around. I do hope you find something that works for you. I am at the early stages with supplements and trying mindfulness. I will go and sit in the park for a time. That seems to help.
Lillyreplying to R’gal6 years ago
Yes although it’s hard to force myself out , I find being by myself ok I am happy with my own company, just everyone else’s gets on my nerves !
Kat1 year ago
I have entered Peru menopause over the past 6 months to a year. I had a hysterectomy about 10 years ago due to fibroids but I still have my ovaries. I feel so so depressed and dark most of the time. I can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve had anxiety and depression for most of my life but nothing to this extent. My husband doesn’t understand or even want to know do it’s pointless trying to speak to him about it. I can’t get an appointment at the doctors for love or money so I’m stuck feeling awful. It has come to the point I can’t see a way out. I have aches, sweats, irritability like you wouldn’t believe, constipation, and it’s just too much. Can anyone help me as I feel so alone in all of this. Sorry 😞