Premenopausal Depression - How Can You Cope With It

Around the time a woman crosses her 40^th birthday, her reproductive life takes a decline and her ovaries start producing less estrogen and phytoestrogens. Estrogen is an important sex hormone for women and plays an important role in reproduction and menstruation. Estrogen level keeps fluctuating during a woman’s lifetime. It increases during puberty, keeps normal healthy levels till a woman reaches her mid 40s, drops when she nears her 50s and finally stops when she is in her mid 50s.

Pre-menopause usually last for 2 to 4 years until menopause although some women may have it only for a few months. During that time you may experience the usual symptoms of menopause like irregular periods, hot flashes, tiredness, breast tenderness, irregular sleep patterns, mood swings, severe premenstrual pain, vaginal dryness/pain during sex and depression. However, some women may not have any premenopausal symptoms at all. They may reach menopause without any visible or invisible signs of discomfort and may be able to go through the transition smoothly.

Premenopause is often disturbing for many women due to fluctuating estrogen levels that triggers the cerebral neurotransmitters, which may account for feeling depressed. You know you are undergoing depression if you the symptoms everyday for the next two to three weeks. The mental signs of depression are:

Depleted energy

Feeling sad, lonely, hopeless and worthless

Poor concentration

Crying uncontrollably

Irritability

Insomnia

Excessive sleep

Weight gain due to excessive appetite

Lack of enjoyment in anything in life

Suicidal thoughts or

Attempt suicide

The physical signs are

Inexplicable aches – headache, stomach ache and body pain

Digestive problems

Difficulty in sex

Cures for depression

Most importantly you will need to accept you have depression and take steps get it treated. Sometimes you may be unwilling to admit that you are having depression for fear of being ridiculed or pitied and refuse treatment, which could be fatal. If neglected, it could cost you your life.

Hormone or estrogen replacement therapy that includes counseling and medication will alleviate symptoms of mood swings, hot flashes as well as increase the estrogen levels, which is the major cause of depression. It will help regulate your sleeping patterns too.

Antidepressant medications work because they help increase serotonin levels in the brain which cures depression. Any antidepressant should be taken only after consultation with the doctor for possible side effects like nausea, vaginal bleeding and headaches.

Natural remedies like consumption of soy bean or soy products, red clover, black cohosh, Peruvian maca root and chaste tree berry is effective for perimenopausal depression. These herb extracts are said to have similar characteristics of estrogen and work on the body by stimulating the hormonal glands to increase production of estrogen. Dong quai is a Chinese herb that is effective in alleviating menstrual discomfort. However, it is advisable to take medical advice before using these herbs.

Practice self calming health techniques like meditation, yoga and pranayam (slow deep breathing). Deep breathing exercises will fill you with energy and vitality as well as improve blood circulation. Yoga diminishes irritability and fatigue and bless you with all round good health.

Engage yourself in a hobby or any other creative work like painting, clay modeling, glass painting or anything that gives you a sense of self-worth and achievement.

Blogging  is a wonderful way to interact with other people on the internet.

Go out with your family, friends and involve yourself in family gatherings.