The reciprocal relationship between menopausal symptoms and depressive symptoms: A 9-year longitudinal study of American women in midlife.

OBJECTIVES The present study sought to examine: (a) the association between depressive symptoms among pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal women and subsequent difficulty with menopausal symptoms; and (b) the relationship between initial problems with menopausal symptoms and subsequent levels of depressive symptoms. STUDY DESIGN Prospective Longitudinal Regression Analysis (n=986) of survey data from a national sample of non-institutional women in midlife (mean age=39.9 years at Time 1). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Menopausal symptoms and symptoms of depression. RESULTS Initial levels of depressive symptoms predicted 9-year follow-up levels of menopausal symptoms controlling for initial menopausal symptoms and demographic covariates (beta=.074; t(980)=2.425; p<.05). Initial levels of menopausal symptoms predicted follow-up levels of depressive symptoms controlling for initial depressive symptoms and demographic covariates (beta=110; t(980)=3.442; p<.001). CONCLUSIONS Women who have more symptoms of depression in their early 40's may be at heightened risk for problems with the menopausal transition. Conversely, efforts to address more severe symptoms of menopause may help to reduce the onset of depressive symptoms among middle aged women.