Researchers at University College London (UCL) reviewed 17 studies with more than 16,000 women. Pooling data from 7 studies (9,141 women), perimenopausal women had about 40% higher odds of depressive symptoms or a depression diagnosis than premenopausal women.
After menopause, a different picture
No significantly increased risk was found in postmenopausal women. The authors note that the studies did not take previous depression into account, so the link needs further research.
What this means for you
- Mood changes in your 40s and early 50s may be linked to perimenopause.
- Low mood that lasts several weeks is a reason to seek help.
- Mention changes in your cycle to your doctor too: it helps them see the full picture.
Sources
- Badawy Y, Spector A, Li Z, Desai R. The risk of depression in the menopausal stages: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2024;357:126–133. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.041