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A recent study led by researchers at University College London (UCL) has shed light on the mental health challenges faced by women during the perimenopausal stage, revealing a significant increase in the risk of depression compared to women not experiencing menopausal symptoms.
Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the research conducted a meta-analysis of seven studies involving 9,141 women worldwide, spanning countries such as Australia, the USA, China, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The aim was to discern whether distinct stages of menopause correlated with varying levels of depression risk.
Perimenopause, occurring approximately three to five years before menopause onset, marks a period of hormonal fluctuation characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, mood swings, and other menopausal symptoms, including heightened feelings of depression. This transitional phase typically persists for four to eight years, until one year after a woman’s last period.
The findings revealed a stark reality: perimenopausal women faced a staggering 40% increase in the likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms and receiving depression diagnoses compared to their premenopausal counterparts. However, post-menopausal women did not exhibit a significant uptick in depression risk relative to premenopausal women.
Symptoms were evaluated using standardized self-report instruments like the Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9, which assesses various facets of depression such as diminished interest in activities, sleep disturbances, and persistent low mood.
Dr. Roopal Desai, senior author from UCL’s Department of Psychology & Language Sciences, emphasized the critical importance of acknowledging and addressing the heightened vulnerability of women in the perimenopausal stage to depression. “Our findings underscore the imperative of providing adequate support and screening to effectively address the mental health needs of women in this life-stage,” Dr. Desai stated.
This study builds upon previous research by the same team, which highlighted the efficacy of therapies such as mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy in alleviating non-physical menopausal symptoms.
Corresponding author Professor Aimee Spector reiterated the significance of the findings, emphasizing the substantial toll perimenopausal symptoms can exact on women’s well-being and quality of life. “Greater awareness and support are imperative to ensure women receive appropriate care, medically, in the workplace, and at home,” Professor Spector asserted.
Lead author Yasmeen Badawy, a UCL Masters student in Psychology & Language Sciences, stressed that the study’s findings transcended cultural and lifestyle factors, suggesting a universal phenomenon underlying perimenopausal depression.
Despite the study’s contributions, limitations were acknowledged. The inability to account for participants’ prior depression history and the absence of a direct comparison between perimenopausal and post-menopausal women represented significant constraints.
As conversations around women’s health continue to evolve, studies like these underscore the pressing need for comprehensive support systems and tailored interventions to mitigate the mental health burden faced by women navigating the complexities of menopause.
The UCL-led research underscores the urgency of addressing the mental health needs of women traversing the perimenopausal journey and advocates for holistic approaches that integrate medical, social, and psychological support to ensure their well-being.
