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Does menopause Increase My Risk of Clinical Depression?
Women approaching menopause are at increased risk for depression, and two new studies offer some of the strongest evidence yet that hormonal changes may be at least partially to blame. Other life events that may coincide with it, like your children leaving home, can affect you. Menopause symptoms worsen with stress. Life already has stresses such as bills, jobs, children, spouses, relatives, etc., but things can only get worse when you are faced with side effects such as sexual dysfunction, insomnia and a generally feeling of being drugged and not being able to think straight or react quickly.
What about my age?
You're got the same chance of depression throughout your life, but you're more prone to risk factors, like bereavement, as you get older.
Do Antidepressants react with HRT?
Your doctor might prescribe you antidepressants. Discuss this carefully before accepting them, they can have unpleasant side-effects.
If you do experience side effects, it is important that you do not come off antidepressants without first talking to your doctor. The dose needs to be reduced gradually over a few weeks. This way your body can slowly readjust, without getting withdrawal symptoms such as headache and 'chills'.
Are there natural alternatives?
Keep your mind occupied and tray to be active, just 20 minutes exercise a day can stimulate your brain and make you feel better. Foods like omega-3-rich oily fish, also help.
St John's wort can be helpful for mild to moderate depression,St. John’s wort works by inhibiting the reuptake of not only serotonin, but also dopamine and norepinephrine. Supplemental 5–HTP, which is more easily converted into serotonin than L–tryptophan, can be especially effective (but it should be used with caution as it can cause increased anxiety in patients with high cortisol levels) .
Limit consumption of carbohydrates. Eat a balanced diet and take a rich nutritional supplement. Reduce stimulant use and known physical stressors to help balance out serotonin levels.
Get moderate sun or full-spectrum light exposure year-round.
Here is a list of the most common signs of depression
* An "empty" feeling, ongoing sadness, and anxiety
* Tiredness, lack of energy
* Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities, including sex
* Sleep problems, including trouble getting to sleep, very early morning waking, and sleeping too much
* Eating more or less than usual
* Crying too often or too much
* Aches and pains that don't go away when treated
* A hard time focusing, remembering, or making decisions
* Feeling guilty, helpless, worthless, or hopeless
* Being irritable
* Thoughts of death or suicide, a suicide attempt
Here is a list of the most common signs of depression. If you have several of these and they last for more than 2 weeks, see a doctor. | 
