Depression among Women during Menopause and Its Effect

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious medical condition that affects how people feel, how they think and how they behave. In developed countries, menopause usually begins between the ages 40 and 58. The average age in the United States is 52 years. For some women, menopause (perimenopause), or the "change of life", is a rollercoaster of physical and emotional highs and lows. The so-called "change of life" is accompanied by a variety of symptoms, such as hot flashes and insomnia, mood swings and depression. When women experience sudden hormonal changes, such as menopausal changes, puberty and postpartum changes, and even changes in their monthly cycles, they are at an increased risk for developing depression. In fact, women are three times more likely to develop depression than men. The main focus of this study was on “depression among women during menopause and its effect”. The study included women aged 45-55 years. For the study, a sample of sixty women from Madakasira village in the Sathya Sai district comprised the sample. Under the direction of subject matter specialists, the researcher created a questionnaire, which was pre-tested on a different sample before being given to the real sample. According to the study, women experienced anxiety and despair throughout menopause.