Hormonal Imbalance and Depression: What Women Should Know

Depression is frustrating and painful, and without knowing the underlying cause, it can also be difficult to treat. Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression, and the hormonal changes that women go through on a regular basis may have a lot to do with why. There are even certain types of depression that only affect women during times of hormonal fluctuation, like premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which is a more severe form of PMS, perinatal and postpartum depression, which can come about due to hormonal changes during and after pregnancy, and perimenopausal depression, which hits women in the years leading up to menopause. The hormonal fluctuations that come with the monthly menstrual cycle, with pregnancy, and with menopause can be rough on their own, but if a woman is also dealing with stress, not getting enough sleep, or not eating well, the effects of these hormonal shifts can be even more dramatic. Read more…