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Menopause (Expert Forum)
Does Menopause Cause Depression and Irritability?
Answered by
Machelle Seibel, MD - Women's Health, menopause, ReproductiveMedicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
MA
Questions in the Menopause forum are answered by Dr. Machelle Seibel. Topics covered include menopause issues, depression, hormone replacement therapy , hot flashes, joint or muscle problems, memory problems, mood swings, osteoporosis , sexual problems, skin changes, sleeping problems, vaginal problems, and weight problems.
Does Menopause Cause Depression and Irritability?
by Med Help, Oct 13, 2005 12:00AM
Does Menopause Cause Depression and Irritability? What can I do to overcome these personality changes?
Lilly Lake
Lilly Lake
Doctor's Answer
by Machelle Seibel, MD, Oct 31, 2005 12:00AM
, Oct 31, 2005 12:00AM
Menopause is a time of transition that means different things to each woman. For some it is liberation from worry about getting pregnant, for others it is a loss of the ability to conceive. For some it is a time of wisdom and experience, for others it a time of aging. How one views the menopausal transition will have a lot to do with how one experiences.
Most studies suggest that when a woman enters menopause, it does not “cause” depression. However, if a woman has a tendency toward depression, or has experienced depression before menopause, she may be at more risk for becoming depressed in menopause. Irritability is another state of mind that can be affected by menopause. Menopause does not cause irritability per se, but it does create situations that lead to becoming irritable. Hot flashes and getting up at night to go to the bathroom cause sleep deprivation that can make one more irritable. Up to 5% of women experience thyroid disorders that can cause irritability. Diabetes is also more common in this window of time. There may be weight gain or stresses taking care of children and aging parents that leave too little time for you to replenish yourself.
If you are feeling irritable and/or depressed, see your doctor and discuss this. Make sure to let the office know you need time for this visit. Your doctor might want to do testing for medical causes of depression and irritability. If you are not satisfied or can’t get enough time, get a referral to a mental health provider. Taking a pill without working on those things that contribute to depression and anxiety usually isn’t enough.
Here are a few tips that I helped to create for the Red Hot Mamas menopause minute:
• A. Get adequate sleep. Even if your routine is interrupted by guests and/or travel, maintain a regular sleep schedule as much as possible.
• Eat healthy, nutritious foods - Avoid getting into the fast-food routine because you're busy.
• Maintain your exercise program.
• Avoid excessive drinking. You may end up with a hangover and/or feel drained and fatigued.
• Take a high-potency multivitamin if you are not already doing so. You may want to take extra vitamin C to help boost your immune system.
• Avoid taking on too much. You can't do everything, and you will become stressed and fatigued if you try to.
• Attend the parties you really want to go to, not the ones that you just feel obligated to attend.Streamline your shopping. Use the Internet or mail-order catalogs. Shopping from home will save you energy. In addition, you will avoid crowded stores.
• Make private time. Relax, read, take a bath - time for yourself will rejuvenate and refresh you.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
Most studies suggest that when a woman enters menopause, it does not “cause” depression. However, if a woman has a tendency toward depression, or has experienced depression before menopause, she may be at more risk for becoming depressed in menopause. Irritability is another state of mind that can be affected by menopause. Menopause does not cause irritability per se, but it does create situations that lead to becoming irritable. Hot flashes and getting up at night to go to the bathroom cause sleep deprivation that can make one more irritable. Up to 5% of women experience thyroid disorders that can cause irritability. Diabetes is also more common in this window of time. There may be weight gain or stresses taking care of children and aging parents that leave too little time for you to replenish yourself.
If you are feeling irritable and/or depressed, see your doctor and discuss this. Make sure to let the office know you need time for this visit. Your doctor might want to do testing for medical causes of depression and irritability. If you are not satisfied or can’t get enough time, get a referral to a mental health provider. Taking a pill without working on those things that contribute to depression and anxiety usually isn’t enough.
Here are a few tips that I helped to create for the Red Hot Mamas menopause minute:
• A. Get adequate sleep. Even if your routine is interrupted by guests and/or travel, maintain a regular sleep schedule as much as possible.
• Eat healthy, nutritious foods - Avoid getting into the fast-food routine because you're busy.
• Maintain your exercise program.
• Avoid excessive drinking. You may end up with a hangover and/or feel drained and fatigued.
• Take a high-potency multivitamin if you are not already doing so. You may want to take extra vitamin C to help boost your immune system.
• Avoid taking on too much. You can't do everything, and you will become stressed and fatigued if you try to.
• Attend the parties you really want to go to, not the ones that you just feel obligated to attend.Streamline your shopping. Use the Internet or mail-order catalogs. Shopping from home will save you energy. In addition, you will avoid crowded stores.
• Make private time. Relax, read, take a bath - time for yourself will rejuvenate and refresh you.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
