The perimenopause, depressive disorders, and hormonal variability.

Lack of association of acute phase response proteins with hormone levels and antidepressant medication in perimenopausal depression

BACKGROUND Major depression is associated with higher plasma levels of positive acute-phase proteins, as well as with lower plasma levels of negative acute-phase proteins. The aim of this study is to examine the levels of acute-phase response proteins and whether these levels are influenced by reproductive hormones and antidepressant medication in the perimenopausal depression. METHODS Sixty-...

iagnosis and management of mood disorders during the enopausal transition

Recent census data indicate that, in the United States, an increasing number of women—almost 1.5 million each year—are reaching menopause. The menopausal transition is marked by intense hormonal fluctuations, and may be accompanied by vasomotor complaints, sleep disturbances, changes in sexual function, and increased risk for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. In addition, there is eviden...

Mood disorders in women: focus on reproductive psychiatry in the 21st century--Motherisk update 2008.

The burden of mental illness in general, and depression in particular, has long been underestimated. One in 6 persons in the United States will, at some point, suffer from major depression. Depression is second only to heart disease as a leading cause of medical disability in the U.S. Women are vulnerable to mood instability at times of life-cycle related hormonal challenge (e.g., including the...

Depression and the menopause: why antidepressants are not enough?

BACKGROUND Gender differences, related to varying sexual hormone levels and hormone secretion patterns across the lifespan, contribute to women's vulnerability to mood disorders and major depression. Women are more prone than men to depression, from puberty onwards, with a specific exposure across the menopausal transition. However, controversy still exists in considering fluctuation/loss of es...

Yoga Therapy for the Management of Hot Flushes, Depression and Anxiety during the Perimenopause by