Perimenopause and Depression

Women have an increased risk for depression as they transition to menopause. The time period before menopause is "perimenopause" and it represents the passage from reproductive to non-reproductive life. Research has indicated that depression is more likely to occur before menopause, known as "perimenopause" while women experience a fluctuation of hormones. Estrogen levels gradually declining may bring on depression. 

Click here to read more about depression. 

• Signs and Symptoms of Depression
• Treatment
• ADAA Resources
• Other Resources

Signs and Symptoms of Depression 

• Two or more weeks of depressed mood
• Decreased interest or pleasure in activities
• Change in appetite
• Change in sleep patterns
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Extreme restlessness and irritability
• Thoughts of suicide

Treatment

Depression is treatable at any stage of life. For perimenopausal mood swings, some experts recommend a low-dose oral contraceptive (OC) to help stablize hormone levels¹.

ADAA Resources

To learn more in-depth about perimenopause and treatments, check out ADAA's Patient Guide to Mood and Anxiety Disorders.

Videos

• What is menopause?

Blogs

• Menopausal Transition and Mental Health: You're Not Crazy
• Women and Depression
• Diverse Women in Clinical Trials: Making a Difference
• Be There for Women Veterans in Your Community 

Personal Stories of Triumph: Depression

• "Just Perfect"
• I’m a Comedian, and I’m Depressed
• How Depression Changed His Life
• Abigail's Story

Webinars

• Unmasking Menopause: Mood, Sleep, Cognition, and Solutions
• Menopause and Mental Health: Optimizing Quality of Life in Mid-life
• Using Behavioral Activation Treatment to Treat Perinatal Mood Disorders - ADAA professional webinar

Community Resources

• Mental Health, Depression, and Menopause- Healthline.com
• Depression in Women: 5 Things You Should Know- NIMH
• Depression in Women - HelpGuide.org
• Depression in Women: Understanding the gender gap - Mayo Clinic
• Depression in Women - Mental Health America
• Depression - womenshealth.gov

1. Depression & Menopause. (2018). Menopause. The North American Menopause Society.