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Menopause Depression
 It is an unfortunately common phenomenon that women experience depression during menopause. Whilst the exact cause of depression can be difficult to pin down, women are more susceptible to depression during menopause because of the emotional rollercoaster caused by a host of physical symptoms and fluctuating hormones. Despite depression being a hugely serious illness, there are a range of treatments and tips available to help. Read over the following paragraphs for more information about depression in menopause.
What are my options for treating depression during menopause?
Before any definitive treatment is given for menopause, your medical professional will try to exclude any medical causes for your depression, such as thyroid problems.
What exactly is depression? Why does menopause make it worse?
Depression is a disease caused by both environmental and biological factors. Women going through menopause are particularly susceptible to depression because it is hormones in the brain (serotonin in particular) that regulate mood. During menopause hormones fluctuate, causing serotonin to drop and therefore precipitating episodes of depression. Depression is characterized by intense sadness, which if suffered over long durations of time can lead to a variety of physical ailments along with thoughts of suicide.
Depression during menopause is treated in pretty much the same way as depression that strikes at any other time; however, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that estrogen replacement can provide relief of minor physical and emotional symptoms, as well as prevent osteoporosis. With that, there is also a slight increase of breast cancer and blood clots. Other options for treating depression during menopause include:
Alternative medicine, herbal remedies and dietary supplements - There has been rising interest in the use of herbs and dietary supplements for the treatment of depression. Keep in mind that there is often no uniformity of dose or amounts and types of ingredients because the FDA does not fully regulate them.
 Support - Many women going through menopause have dual care-taking responsibilities - caring for their own children and also for elderly relatives. It is very important that you get support for yourself and communicate your needs to others. Ask for help with housekeeping, preparing meals and other daily tasks
Exercise - The benefits of exercise in alleviating depression are well documented. Exercise helps treat depression by releasing the body's mood-elevating compounds, reducing the depression hormone cortisol, providing a fresh, healthier perspective on life, a feeling of accomplishment, enhancing self-esteem, and increasing levels of serotonin. Even exercising as little as 10 minutes a day has been found to have beneficial effects, though more is obviously recommended.
Stress Management - Depression is made worse by stress. Menopause is recognized as a period of great stress for women, and therefore one should make an active effort to get involved in activities (or uninvolved) that help alleviate stress.
 Get more sleep - Inadequate sleep can make depression worse. You need to keep your sleep cycle regular by going to bed and waking around the same time. Bedtime rituals such as reading or a warm bath can also help.
Dietary changes - Eating a well balanced diet and regularly scheduled meals is important to controlling depression. Decreasing refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and chocolate may help.
Quality time with other people - Many depressed women withdraw from others because they mistakenly feel they would not be good company. Being with others is another way to gain perspective, which helps with the symptoms of depression. If you live alone, it is especially important to establish contact with others
For more information on some of the available treatments for menopause depression click on the following link.
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