Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap
Depression in women: Understanding the gender gapFamily. Career. Coping with menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause. As a woman, you certainly have plenty of issues to handle. But there's another one you might face that can be especially challenging: depression. About 1 in 8 women develop depression at some point in life. Women are nearly twice as likely as are men to struggle with depression at some point. Depression can occur at any age, but it is most common in women between the ages of 25 and 44. Some mood changes and depressed feelings occur with normal hormone changes. But hormone changes alone don't cause depression. Other biological factors, inherited traits and life experiences are also involved. Explore more about what contributes to depression in women — and what you can do about it. PubertyAfter girls and boys reach puberty, depression rates are higher in females than in males. And because girls typically reach puberty before boys do, they're more likely to develop depression at an earlier age than are boys. This depression gender gap lasts until after menopause. It's thought that the numerous hormone changes during puberty may increase some women's risk of developing depression. However, temporary mood changes related to changing hormones during puberty are normal — these changes alone don't cause depression. Puberty is also often associated with other factors that can play a role in depression, such as:
Premenstrual problemsYou may know all too well the physical and emotional changes that can occur before menstruation, when abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, headache, anxiety, irritability and a blue mood herald the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). For most women with PMS, the symptoms are minor and short-lived. But a small percentage of women have severe and disabling symptoms that disrupt their lives, jobs and relationships. At that point, PMS crosses the line into premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) — a type of depression that generally requires treatment. Although the exact interaction between depression and premenstrual syndrome remains unclear, it's possible that cyclical changes in estrogen, progesterone and other hormones can disrupt the function of brain chemicals such as serotonin that control mood. Inherited traits, life experiences and other factors appear to play a role. PregnancyDramatic hormonal changes occur during pregnancy, and these can affect mood. Other issues may also increase the risk of developing depression during pregnancy or during attempts to become pregnant, including:
Postpartum depressionAbout half of new mothers find themselves sad, angry, irritable and prone to tears soon after giving birth. These feelings — sometimes called the baby blues — are normal and generally subside within a week or two. But more serious or long-lasting depressed feelings may indicate postpartum depression, particularly if signs and symptoms include:
Postpartum depression is a serious medical condition requiring prompt treatment. It occurs in about 10 to 15 percent of women. It's thought to be associated with major hormonal fluctuations that influence mood, along with a pre-existing predisposition to depression. Perimenopause and menopauseThe risk of depression may also be heightened during the transition to menopause, a stage called perimenopause, when hormone levels fluctuate erratically. The depression risk also may be heightened in early menopause or after menopause, both times when estrogen levels are significantly reduced. Most women who experience uncomfortable menopausal symptoms don't develop depression. But for women whose sleep is disrupted for long periods of time or who have a history of depression, this is a vulnerable time. Also, hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries can lead to an abrupt onset of menopause with severe symptoms, including mood changes and sometimes depression. Life situations and culture affecting depression in womenThe higher rate of depression in women isn't due to biology alone. Your life situation and cultural stressors play a role, too. Although these stressors also occur in men, it's usually at a lower rate. Factors that may add to a woman's risk include:
Other conditions that occur with depressionWomen with depression often have other mental health conditions that need treatment as well. Some conditions that commonly occur along with depression in women include:
Recognizing depression and seeking treatmentAlthough depression might seem overwhelming, there's effective treatment. Even severe depression often can be successfully treated. Seek help if you have any signs and symptoms of depression, such as:
Not sure how to get treatment? Consider turning to your primary care provider first. This may be your family doctor, an internist, a nurse practitioner, an obstetrician or a gynecologist. Your primary care provider may be able to guide your treatment. Otherwise, he or she can refer you to a mental health provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness, such as a psychiatrist. Remember, depression is both common and treatable. If you think you are depressed, don't hesitate to seek help. RelatedLast Updated: 2010-09-01 © 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "Mayo Clinic Health Information," "Reliable information for a healthier life" and the triple-shield Mayo logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
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