Menopause Depression

Menopause Depression

“Depression in women in their mid-40’s to early 50’s
is a significant problem. For women, middle age is the age
with a very high risk of both first time depression…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Menopause Depression umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Clinical Depression
  • Depression
  • Depressive Disorder
  • Major Depression
  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Menopause Blues

Depression

What is depression?

DotS the definition of depression may vary. In Depressive Disorder (Depression): Overview, dated 11 September 2026, the World Health Organization’s definition is:

“Depressive disorder (also known as depression) is a common mental disorder. It is different from regular mood changes and feelings about everyday life It involves a depressed mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time”.2

In Depression: What Is Depression? the (United States) National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) definition is:

“Depression (also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is different. It can cause severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working”.3

Sadness or Depression

Is sadness the same as depression?

In Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know the NIMH explain:

“Feeling sad is a normal reaction to difficult times in life. Depression is different—it is a mood disorder that can affect how a person feels, thinks, and acts”.4

Perimenopause

Is there an association between perimenopause and depression?

In Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 3. Certain Types of Depression Are Unique To Women the NIMH note:

  • “Perimenopausal Depression affects some women during the transition to menopause. Whereas abnormal periods, problems sleeping, mood swings, and hot flashes are common during the menopause transition, more extreme feelings of irritability, anxiety, sadness, or loss of enjoyment may be signs of depression”.5

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and depression?

In Menopause Depression: Women, Menopause and Depression HER Center Australia elaborate on:

Menopause Depression“Depression in women in their mid-40’s to early 50’s is a significant problem. For women, middle age is the age with a very high risk of both first time depression as well as depression recurrence. Related to this is the tragic statistic that women aged 45-49, have a high completed suicide rate. The impact of menopause is a critical factor in the development of depression in this group, be it for the first time, or a recurrence of previous depression.

While many women do not experience significant mental ill health during the transition to menopause, an estimated 40% of perimenopausal women present to their primary healthcare physicians with depressive symptoms. Importantly, depressive symptoms experienced in the menopause transition are different and often worse in severity compared to depression in younger and older women”.6

In Menopause and Mental Health: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause the Australasian Menopause Society (AMS) elaborate on:

Menopause Depression“Mental health symptoms related to menopause can include feeling:

  • Irritable
  • Sad
  • Anxious
  • Hopeless
  • Less able to concentrate or focus
  • Tired
  • Unmotivated

Some women might experience these symptoms in a mild form. Others might have more severe symptoms of depression (including thoughts of suicide) lasting for at least two weeks. This is known as a major depressive episode and is more likely in women who have a history of major depression during their pre-menopausal years.

While many women do not have mental health issues during the menopausal transition, unstable oestrogen levels can have an impact on the brain, predisposing some women to feelings of depression and anxiety”.7

Cause

What may cause depression during menopause?

How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms: Managing Mental and Emotional Health the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:

“In the lead-up to menopause, you may notice things like:

  • Mood changes
  • Forgetfulness
  • Brain fog.

This may be due to hormone changes or life pressures or both”.8

In Mood and the Menopause: Key Points the AMS include:

“Risk factors for depression during perimenopause include a prior history of depression (although there is still an increased risk in women with no history of depression), stress & trauma (early life and current), psychosocial and socioeconomic factors”.9

Management

What may help manage our mental and emotional health?

In How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms: Managing Mental and Emotional Health the JH include:

“There are many practical things you can do to look after your emotional wellbeing at this stage of life. For example:

  • Talk to someone about your feelings, such as a friend, family member, doctor or psychologist
  • Take time for yourself and do things you enjoy
  • Get quality rest when you can
  • Do regular physical activity, especially in a group or with friends
  • Ask your doctor about cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
  • Practise relaxation techniques
  • Pay attention to your inner voice and practise using positive affirmations.

If you are experiencing strong emotions, anxiety or depression, see your doctor”.10

In Our Best Mental Health Tips – Backed By Research the (United Kingdom) Mental Health Foundation elaborate on:

  1. “Get closer to nature…
  2. Get more from your sleep
  3. Keep moving
  4. Eat healthy food…
  5. Be kind and help create a better world…
  6. Be curious and open-minded to new experiences…
  7. Plan things to look forward to…
  8. Learn to understand and manage your feelings…
  9. Talk to someone you trust for support…
  10. Be aware of using drugs and/or alcohol to cope with difficult feelings
  11. Try to make the most of your money and get help with problem debts…”.11

Treatment

How may perimenopausal and menopausal depression be treated?

In Menopause and Mental Health: Treatment Options for Mental Health Symptoms the AMS elaborate on:

“Women should have an individualised assessment with their doctor in order to discuss the most appropriate treatment pathway. Options may include lifestyle changes, psychological therapies and medications such as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or antidepressants.

While some international guidelines do not recommend MHT as first line therapy, many doctors have seen a positive effect on mood with the use of MHT in the first instance. There is evidence that oestrogen has antidepressant effects, particularly in perimenopausal women. We emphasise an individualised approach with treatment tailored to the individual patient.

Oestrogen is not recommended for women with a history of breast cancer.

At this stage, there is no evidence to recommend alternative or complementary therapies for treatment of perimenopausal depression”.12

Health Care Provider

What if I feel depressed?

In Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms the JH explain:

“All midlife health issues and concerns are important, whether they are caused by menopause or not. Speak with your doctor about any health issue or concern that is affecting your quality of life”.13

In Menopause and Mental Health: Untangling Physical and Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause the AMS elaborate on:

“Speaking with your doctor about your menopausal symptoms, life circumstances and clinical history can help them to recommend the best treatment options and lifestyle and behavioural changes for your situation”.14

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause Depression?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause Depression?

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Links

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  12. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Menopause
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  14. Could It Be Perimenopause? How Hormones Influence the Brain
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  18. Depression [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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  21. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Menopause and Mental Health: Managing Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Changes
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  26. Find A Member [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
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  28. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
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  32. HER Centre Australia
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  38. Hormones & Mental Health: What Every Woman Needs To Know | Live With Dr Louise Newson
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  41. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Midlife Brain Fog
  42. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
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  44. Is Hormone Therapy A Key Strategy In Treating Menopausal Depression? [Video]
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  46. Jayashri Kulkarni: Our Hormones and Our Minds [Podcast]
  47. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!] [Other Languages and Formats]
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  49. Mayo Clinic Q&A: Seasonal Affective Disorder Is More Than Feeling Sad
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  52. Menopause Depression: Under Recognized and Poorly Treated [Kulkarni, J. et al]
  53. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
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  54. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
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  55. Menopause Transition Does Not Increase Risk for Depressive Symptoms for All Women
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause Depression: Women, Menopause and Depression. HER Center Australia https://www.monash.edu/medicine/her-centre/education/resources/menopause-depression Accessed: 10 October 2026
  2. Depressive Disorder (Depression): Overview. 11 September 2026. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression Accessed: 10 October 2026
  3. Depression: What Is Depression? Last Reviewed: December 2024. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml#part_145398 Accessed: 10 October 2026
  4. Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know. Revised: 2023. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women Accessed: 10 October 2026
  5. Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 3. Certain Types of Depression Are Unique To Women. Revised: 2023. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women Accessed: 10 October 2026
  6. Menopause Depression: Women, Menopause and Depression. HER Center Australia https://www.monash.edu/medicine/her-centre/education/resources/menopause-depression Accessed: 10 October 2026
  7. Menopause and Mental Health: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause. 05 September 2025. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 10 October 2026
  8. How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms: Managing Mental and Emotional Health. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/how-to-manage-menopausal-symptoms/#section-managing-mental-and-emotional-health Accessed: 10 October 2026
  9. Mood and the Menopause: Key Points. 07 April 2026. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/mood-and-the-menopause Accessed: 10 October 2026
  10. How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms: Managing Mental and Emotional Health. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/how-to-manage-menopausal-symptoms/#managing-mood-and-emotional-health Accessed: 10 October 2026
  11. Our Best Mental Health Tips – Backed By Research. Mental Health Foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/our-best-mental-health-tips Accessed: 10 October 2026
  12. Menopause and Mental Health: Treatment Options for Mental Health Symptoms. 05 September 2025. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 10 October 2026
  13. Menopause and Mental Health: Untangling Physical and Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause. 05 September 2025. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 10 October 2026
  14. Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms – Mental and Emotional Health. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/ Accessed: 10 October 2026
  15. Menopause and Mental Health: Untangling Physical and Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause. 05 September 2025. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 10 October 2026
Topic Last Updated: 10 October 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 10 October 2026

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