“It is important to note that not all midlife women
experience mood problems, but some women
are more vulnerable than others to developing…”.1
Umbrella
What may the Depression and Women Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Black Dog
- Clinical Depression
- Depression
- Depression the Serious Clinical Illness
- Depressive Disorder/Episode/Illness
- Dysthymia
- Dysthymic Disorder
- Major Depression
- Major Depressive Disorder/Episode/Illness
- Minor Depression
- Nervous Breakdown
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
- Unipolar Depression
Definition
What is depression?
DotS the definition of depression may vary. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition is:
Women
In women, how common is depression?
In Depression: Key Facts the WHO note:
- “More women are affected by depression than men”.3
In Women the (Australian) Beyondblue elaborate on:
In fact, around 1 in 6 women in Australia will experience depression and 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety during their lifetime. Women also experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders at higher rates than men”.4
Symptoms
In women, what can be symptoms of depression?
In Depression In Women: 5 Things You Should Know – 3. Certain Types of Depression Are Unique To Women: Depression Affects Each Women Differently the (United States) National Institute of Mental Health explain:
“Not every woman who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some women experience only a few symptoms. Others have many. The severity and frequency of symptoms, and how long they last, will vary depending on the individual and the severity of the illness”.5
Anxiety
Is there an association between anxiety and depression?
In Depression: Depression and Anxiety Disorders: Not the Same the Anxiety and Depression Association of America elaborate on:
Many people who develop depression have a history of an anxiety disorder earlier in life. There is no evidence one disorder causes the other, but there is clear evidence that many people suffer from both disorders”.6
Perimenopause
Is there an association between perimenopause and depression?
In Depression In Women: 5 Things You Should Know – 3. Certain Types of Depression Are Unique To Women: Perimenopausal Depression the NIMH note:

“Perimenopause (the transition into menopause) is a normal phase in a woman’s life that can sometimes be challenging. If you are going through perimenopause, you might be experiencing abnormal periods, problems sleeping, mood swings, and hot flashes. Although these symptoms are common, feeling depressed is not. If you are struggling with irritability, anxiety, sadness, or loss of enjoyment at the time of the menopause transition, you may be experiencing perimenopausal depression”.7
Menopause
Is there an association between menopause and depression?
On page one in Menopause and Depression: Depressive and Menopause Symptoms the NAMS elaborate on:
In Symptoms of Menopause: Mood & Emotional Health the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:
Women who have a history of depression or premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may be more likely to develop depression during this time”.9
Treatment
How can depression be treated?
In Depression: Treatment and Therapies the NIMH elaborate on:

“Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it is. Depression is usually treated with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. If these treatments do not reduce symptoms, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and other brain stimulation therapies may be options to explore”.10
In Depression: Treatment and Therapies the NIMH also include:
Online Resources, Programs, Apps and e-Therapies
Are depression online resources, programs, Apps and e-therapies available?
Depending on your Country, depression online resources, programs, Apps and e-therapies may be available.
Your health care provider or local community health center may know of your Country’s recommended depression online resources, programs, Apps and e-therapies, similar to the (Australian) Department of Health’s Head To Health Search for Digital Mental Health Resources including thiswayup.org.au
Health Care Provider
What if I think I have depression?
If you think you have depression, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this urgently.
In Get Immediate Help the (United States) MentalHealth.gov note:
Talk to your primary care doctor or another health professional about mental health problems. Ask them to connect you with the right mental health services”.12
In Depression In Women: 5 Things You Should Know – 1. Depression Is A Real Medical Condition: Most People With Depression Need Treatment To Feel Better the NIMH explain:
“If you think you may have depression, start by making an appointment to see your health care provider. This could be your primary doctor or a health provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions (for example, a psychologist or psychiatrist). Certain medications, and some medical conditions, such as viruses or a thyroid disorder, can cause the same symptoms as depression. A health care provider can rule out these possibilities by doing a physical exam, interview, and lab tests. Your health care provider will examine you and talk to you about treatment options and next steps”.13
In Find A Mental Health Professional: Finding the Right professional for You the (Australian) Beyondblue note:
In Depression: How Health Professionals Can Help the JH remind us:
- Depression is common
- It is not a sign of weakness
- It is nothing to be ashamed about
- It can be treated”.15
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to Depression and Women?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Depression and Women?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.New or Updated
- Alcohol and Stress
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America
- Anxietyuk.org.uk
- Beyondblue.org.au
- Can Menopause Cause Depression?
- Caring for Your Mental Health
- Consumer Health: It’s Bad To Mix Antidepressants and Alcohol
- Consumer Health: What Do You Know About Seasonal Affective Disorder?
- Depression
- Depression
- Depression
- Depression
- Depression
- Depression
- Depression
- Depression
- Depression [+ Video]
- Depression Basics
- Depression In Women: 5 Things You Should Know
- Depression In Women: Understanding the Gender Gap
- Depression Medicines
- Depression Screening
- Depression [+ What Is Depression? [Video]
- Depression, Anxiety & Illness
- Depressioncenter.org: Depression Toolkit
- Diet and Mental Health
- Does Caffeine Make Depression Worse?
- Dr. Louise Newson Breaks Down The Menopause & Lisa Snowdon Shares Her Experience | This Morning
- Exercise for Depression
- Facebook Live Event: The Menopause Transition and Depression
- Factors Affecting Women
- Find Help: Finding Help Is the Key To Taking Charge and Moving Forward
- Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
- Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
- Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
- Finding A Mental Health Professional
- Finding the Right Mental Health Professional for You
- Getting Help [United Kingdom]
- Headstogether.org.uk [Heads Together, United Kingdom]
- Headtohealth.gov.au: Head To Health [Australia]
- Help for Mental Illnesses [United States]
- Home Remedies: Can Fish Oil Supplements Treat Depression?
- How Right Now
- How To Choose the Best Mental Health App for You
- How To Improve Mental Health
- How To Look After Your Mental Health
- How To Look After Your Mental Health Using Exercise
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!]
- Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Intersex (LGBTI), and Bodily, Gender and Sexuality Diverse People
- Let’s Talk About Menopause | Aware Webinar
- Low Mood, Sadness and Depression [+ Audio: Low Mood and Depression]
- Maintaining Your Mental Health During Challenging Times [+ Video]
- Mastering Midlife Mood Changes with Marlene Freeman, MD
- May Is Mental Health Month [United States]
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
- Menopause Mindfulness: Embracing the Change of My Midlife
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Mindfulness & Wellbeing During the Menopause Transition
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
- Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
- Menopause and Depression
- Menopause and Mental Health
- Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
- Mental Health
- Mental Health: Mental Health Self Help Guides
- Mentalhealth.org.uk
- Mentalhealthatwork.org.uk [Mental Health At Work, United Kingdom]
- Mhanational.org [Mental Health America]
- Mood and the Menopause
- Moodgym.com.au
- Mycompass.org.au
- Nami.org [National Alliance on Mental Illness, United States]
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 5 Tips: What You Should Know About the Science Behind Depression and Complementary Health Approaches
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Anxiety At A Glance
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Depression
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe): In Depth
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: St. John’s Wort and Depression: In Depth
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Valerian
- National Institute of Mental Health: Depression
- Nervous Breakdown: What Does It Mean?
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin B6
- Reducing Stress: Potential Stress Triggers
- Reducing Stress: Ways To Reduce Stress
- SAMHSA.org: Find Help & Treatment [Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States]
- Self-Help Tool: Menopause and Mental Wellbeing
- Support From A Health Professional
- Symptoms of Menopause: Mood & Emotional Health
- Take Action Before the Blues Take Over
- Talk With Your Doctor About Depression
- Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
- Treatments for Anxiety
- Treatments for Depression
- Types of Talking Therapies
- Types of Therapist: How To Find & Choose A Therapist – What Is the Difference Between A Psychologist, Psychiatrist and Counsellor?
- Understand the Facts: Understanding the Facts of Anxiety Disorders and Depression Is the First Step
- Video Series-2023: Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Menopause Experience
- Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: The Menopause Blues
- Why Depression In Women Is So Misunderstood
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Menopause and Depression: Depressive and Menopause Symptoms. 2018: 1. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/menonote-menopause-and-depression.pdf Accessed: 28 March 2023
- Depression: Overview. 13 September 2021. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression Accessed: 28 March 2023
- Depression: Key Facts. 13 September 2021. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression Accessed: 28 March 2023
- Women. Beyondblue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/women Accessed: 28 March 2023
- Depression In Women: 5 Things You Should Know – 3. Certain Types of Depression Are Unique To Women: Depression Affects Each Women Differently. Revised 2020. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women/index.shtml#pub3 Accessed: 28 March 2023
- Depression. This Page was Updated: 18 January 2023. Anxiety and Depression Association of America https://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression Accessed: 28 March 2023
- Depression In Women: 5 Things You Should Know – 3. Certain Types of Depression Are Unique To Women: Perimenopausal Depression. Revised 2020. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women/index.shtml Accessed: 28 March 2023
- Menopause and Depression: Depressive and Menopause Symptoms. 2018: 1. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/menonote-menopause-and-depression.pdf Accessed: 28 March 2023
- Symptoms of Menopause: Mood and Emotional Health. Last Updated: 02 March 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms#mood-and-emotional-healthAccessed: 28 March 2023
- Depression: Treatment and Therapies. Last Reviewed: September 2022. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml#part_145399 Accessed: 28 March 2023
- Depression: Treatment and Therapies. Last Reviewed: September 2022. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml#part_145399 Accessed: 28 March 2023
- Get Immediate Help. Last Updated: 06 September 2022. MentalHealth.gov https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help Accessed: 28 March 2023
- Depression In Women: 5 Things You Should Know – 1. Depression Is A Real Medical Condition: Most People With Depression Need Treatment To Feel Better. Revised 2020. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women/index.shtml#pub1 Accessed: 28 March 2023
- Find A Mental Health Professional: Finding the Right professional for You. Beyondblue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/find-a-mental-health-professional Accessed: 28 March 2023
- Depression: How Health Professionals Can Help – Remember. Last Updated: 07 December 2020 | Last Reviewed: 10 March 2014. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/mental-emotional-health/depression Accessed: 28 March 2023