Women's Health
Depression more likely during perimenopause than before or after
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- Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Women in perimenopause are significantly more likely to experience depression than either before or after this stage, a new analysis suggests.
The analysis, published July 15, 2024, in the Journal of Affective Disorders, reviewed seven earlier studies involving nearly 12,000 women to determine whether different stages of menopause were associated with varying depression risks. Participants' symptoms were measured using standardized questionnaires that gauged factors such as lack of interest in activities, sleep problems, and low mood.
Researchers found that women in perimenopause — which typically lasts for three to five years before menopause and may involve mood changes — were 40% more likely to experience depression than either premenopausal or postmenopausal women. The findings emphasize the importance of screening women for depression during perimenopause and providing necessary support, study authors said.
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About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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