Can the menopause be associated with psychological problems?

The occurrence of psychological symptoms around episodes of change in hormone concentrations is commonly encountered. This may be seen each month before menstruation (premenstrual tensionPremenstrual Syndrome - PMS), after childbirth (postnatal depression) and at the menopause. Premenstrual syndrome is characterised by cyclical symptoms, which regularly precede periods; as the menopause approaches these symptoms may lose their cyclical nature and become more continuous. The term depression is unusual in that it describes both a symptom and the name of the illness. The arrival of the menopause serves as reminder to a woman that the vitality of youth is receding and perhaps half her adult years have been completed. For many, early dreams, ambitions and aspirations do not seem to be even approaching fulfilment. Parents are ageing and rather than providing their traditional support to the platform of life, they begin to require ever increasing assistance themselves. Children have attained adolescence or adulthood and may be making difficult demands.

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