Is Menopause Making You Depressed?

The cartoons, parodies and other exaggerated portrayals of the symptoms of menopause are everywhere—women bathed in sweat, drenched from incessant hot flashes and plagued by constant mood swings. Although popular culture pokes fun at menopausal symptoms, these changes can be life-altering for affected women—in other words, it’s no laughing matter. Symptoms of menopause also include missing periods, low sex drive, endless fatigue, brain fog and as recent studies have shown, depression, anxiety and irritability.

The symptoms of menopause alone can drive women to feel sad, anxious and distressed, but hormonal imbalance associated with the condition may also play a role. The good news is that relief is possible with hormone therapy. 

How Hormonal Imbalance during Menopause Affects Mental Health

You may be aware of the physical effects of menopause, but what you may not realize is that menopause also affects mental health. Depression and anxiety associated with menopause may be the result of a hormonal imbalance as the ovaries stop producing key levels of estrogen and progesterone. Testosterone levels may also be affected.

Too much or too little estrogen and declines in progesterone can bring on the familiar mood swings, hot flashes and insomnia—classic symptoms of menopause. These symptoms can make many women feel depressed as their quality of life often diminishes almost overnight.

Low testosterone has been linked to depression. The hormone itself is a mood stabilizer, meaning low levels can make it hard to fight off the blues or irritability. But, low testosterone can have other effects that may increase anxiety or depressed feelings, such as difficulty managing a healthy weight, muscle loss, low energy and poor concentration.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is time to talk to your doctor about menopause.

Hormone Therapy for Menopause

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has been found to be the best treatment for menopausal symptoms, included those that affect mental health. Antidepressants, in many cases, only mask the problem and does not address other symptoms. Talking to your doctor, or an expert in hormone therapy, can help you find comprehensive relief and improve your health and quality of life.

Experts in BHRT, like the team at Preventative Wellness MD in Hartford, have vast experience and knowledge in hormone imbalance and the menopause, including the early stages of menopause—premenopause and perimenopause—when symptoms may first appear. Advanced diagnostic testing can help identify any imbalances and a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Petruzzelli and her team will give further insight to your unique health needs and quality of life concerns. Together, you can work together to develop a custom treatment plan to ensure you feel better and enjoy every moment, even with menopause.

Schedule your first consultation with Dr. Anita Petruzzelli in Hartford today. At Preventative Wellness MD, Dr. Petruzzelli and her team can help you achieve your best health ever. Dr. Petruzzelli is among the top physicians in Connecticut specially certified to help you achieve your health and wellness goals, including addressing menopause symptoms. Get started on a customized treatment plan designed to fit your lifestyle and ensure you reach optimal wellness. Begin your journey now, contact Preventative Wellness MD.