Menopause is a natural part of life and something that every woman will go through. And yet, there are so many common myths and misconceptions about it.
It’s estimated that around 13 million women* in the UK are experiencing menopause right now, so it’s important to demystify the menopause transition and encourage open conversations.
Menopause symptoms are incredibly wide-ranging and can include hot flushes, night sweats, feelings of sadness and irritability, loss of focus, tiredness, and problems sleeping.
Because women going through perimenopause or menopause often experience shifts in emotion, this can lead some women to be misdiagnosed with depression and wrongly prescribed antidepressants.
So, what’s the link between menopause and depression? And how can we make sure that menopausal women get the right support?
To help with this, we’ve partnered with My Menopause Centre who aim to empower women with their online menopause clinic and evidence-based information and advice. The service is UK-wide and provides women with professional care, kindness, and support on their menopause journey.
What is menopause?
Menopause is a natural part of the ageing process and is when a woman’s periods stop – either suddenly or over time. This is because the ovaries stop producing oestrogen and making eggs. In the UK, the average age of menopause is 51, but this can vary.
While women are considered menopausal once their periods have stopped for a year, the entire menopausal process lasts for longer than this. Perimenopause (which means ‘around menopause’) refers to the period before menopause happens, when the body begins to transition and oestrogen levels start to decline.
“Emotional symptoms – such as irritability, or feeling tearful, sad, or anxious – are common symptoms of the menopause transition. They can start early in the perimenopause and linger after periods have stopped.
Once a woman hasn’t had a period for over a year, she’s regarded as post-menopausal. The physical and psychological effects of perimenopause and menopause tend to settle down at some point, but they can last up to 15 years or longer.”
Health checks for living well, longer
We all have different reasons for getting health checks – reassurance, motivation, curiosity.
With Bupa, you’ll find the health check that gives you the right knowledge for you. Because when you know what’s going on, you’re empowered to take action, and feel better.
Plus, Rest Less members get 20% off all Bupa Health Checks.
What is depression?
Depression is a mental health condition that affects the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves. Symptoms can include losing interest in things you used to enjoy; feelings of sadness, emptiness, apathy, or hopelessness; fatigue or low energy; and difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual.
Other symptoms can include having trouble remembering things, problems making decisions, or finding it hard to focus. Some people experience changes in their appetite and weight, slower movement of speech, and thoughts about harming themselves.
If you’re struggling with any of these symptoms, our article, 10 things you can do to help yourself through feelings of depression, will hopefully offer some support.
How are menopause and depression linked?
Hormone changes during menopause can affect mood. This 2018 review found that while depression is more common during perimenopause, in the two to four years after someone’s last period, the risk of depression decreases. And if you already suffer from anxiety or depression, symptoms can worsen during menopause.
“For some women, psychological symptoms are more debilitating and have a greater impact on their life than physical symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats.”
Common menopausal symptoms like sadness, irritability, mood changes, and tiredness are common symptoms of depression, too.
This means that women going through menopause are often misdiagnosed with depression and anxiety due to mood changes when, in fact, it’s due to menopausal fluctuations in oestrogen levels.
This misdiagnosis means that women are frequently prescribed antidepressants rather than menopause-specific treatments, like hormone replacement therapy (HRT). As they’re not suffering from depression, many women find that antidepressants don’t work for them – and the problems persist.
“You can see that there’s an overlap of symptoms between menopause and depression. Many women are offered antidepressants to help symptoms, but HRT can be more effective if symptoms are related to menopause.”
But why can menopause cause feelings of depression? There are various reasons for this…
Physiological factors
There are physical reasons why a woman may experience symptoms of depression during the menopause. During perimenopause, hormone levels can fluctuate dramatically and rising and falling levels of oestrogen and progesterone can affect brain chemistry, structure, and function.
Oestrogen enhances the effect of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which helps stabilise mood and creates feelings of happiness. So, when oestrogen production declines, it’s no wonder that mood can be impacted.
Some people are also just more prone to hormone-related mood changes, and a 2015 study found that women who suffered from premenstrual symptoms, postpartum depression, or who have a family history of depression may be more likely to feel depressed during perimenopause.
Psychosocial factors
There are also psychological and social factors why menopause can impact mental health. While many women feel positive about ageing and going through menopause, others find that it affects their confidence and self-esteem.
This study looked into cultures where old age is revered and found that women reported fewer negative symptoms during perimenopause and menopause. This suggests that how our society views ageing can shape the way women feel about the transition.
Menopause symptoms can also affect the ability to work – and over two-thirds of UK women interviewed by My Menopause Centre believe symptoms of menopause have negatively impacted their work and career. Workplace discrimination due to menopause is also an ongoing issue, with many women not receiving enough support.
“I meet many women who have changed or are thinking of changing their careers as a direct result of symptoms of the menopause transition.”
Health checks for living well, longer
We all have different reasons for getting health checks – reassurance, motivation, curiosity.
With Bupa, you’ll find the health check that gives you the right knowledge for you. Because when you know what’s going on, you’re empowered to take action, and feel better.
Plus, Rest Less members get 20% off all Bupa Health Checks.
Why are symptoms of menopause often misdiagnosed?
So, why are the symptoms of menopause so frequently misdiagnosed as depression?
Unfortunately, it often comes down to the fact that a taboo surrounding menopause still exists. For example, while conversations about menopause are becoming more common, a survey by My Menopause Centre found that 47% of people (and 72% of perimenopausal and menopausal women) believe it’s still a taboo topic.
Because perimenopause and menopause symptoms differ for everyone, there’s also no one-size-fits-all approach to managing the transition. And, because symptoms often come on gradually, women experiencing the transition may not realise their symptoms are due to menopause.
Because so many symptoms can be explained away (such as feeling tired but thinking you’ve just been working too hard), many women try to brush aside their concerns. This can leave women feeling isolated, or as though they’ve failed in some way, which can further reduce confidence and self-esteem. Therefore, it’s really important to have open conversations about the way you’re feeling and feel comfortable seeking support.
Where can I find support?
For many women, it can be difficult to distinguish between clinical depression and the depression-like symptoms that accompany perimenopause or menopause. But, if you’ve never experienced depression before and these negative feelings begin suddenly in your 40s, it’s likely they could be related to menopause.
While the symptoms of depression can overlap with menopausal symptoms, clinical depression tends to be more intense. You may feel so overwhelmed with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness that you’re unable to live your life normally. Some women may even feel suicidal.
If you’re struggling with feelings of depression and aren’t sure whether it’s due to menopause, it’s important to speak to a health professional. You might find it helpful to book a menopause consultation with a specialist or to speak with your GP.
Practising mindfulness strategies and making lifestyle changes can also be beneficial. You can find more information in our articles: Managing your menopause journey and 10 things you can do to help yourself through feelings of depression.
Above all, it’s crucial to be kind to yourself and try to think positively. Remember, menopause is a natural part of life – and although it’s normal to feel sad about saying goodbye to your childbearing years, menopause can be an exciting and freeing time, too.
“In my experience, a holistic approach is often needed in managing symptoms of the menopause.”
Health checks for living well, longer
We all have different reasons for getting health checks – reassurance, motivation, curiosity.
With Bupa, you’ll find the health check that gives you the right knowledge for you. Because when you know what’s going on, you’re empowered to take action, and feel better.
Plus, Rest Less members get 20% off all Bupa Health Checks.
Final thoughts
As symptoms of menopause and depression can overlap, it can be tricky for women to distinguish between the two.
If you’re worried about how you’re feeling, it’s worth booking a menopause consultation or speaking to your GP. It’s also important to share how you’re feeling with loved ones as speaking openly about your experiences can relieve worries while helping to eradicate the taboo that still surrounds menopause.
For more information, head over to the menopause section of our website.
Have you experienced feelings of depression while going through menopause? Do you have any tips or advice to offer to women who are struggling with menopausal symptoms? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.