Depression is
one of the conditions of our era. People born since 1945
are 10 times
more likely to suffer from depression than those born before. Women are
more likely than men to suffer from depression, with estimates ranging
from 8 to 15% of women suffering it in some form over their lifetime.
The modern medical view is that depression is not an illness
and that
it rarely has a physical cause. It is commonly a natural response to
certain types of emotional introspection that results in excessive
dreaming. Among the symptoms that women report are:
- Extreme
tiredness, even on waking
-
Disrupted sleep, sometimes because of
disturbing dreams
-
Difficulty focussing and concentrating
-
Feeling blue, worried and
anxious
-
Waking early
- Being
irritable or having a short fuse
-
Significant weight loss or gain
without changes in eating or exercise
- Lack of
interest in hobbies or other
leisure activities
Hormonal imbalances are a feature of a womans reproductive cycle and
most of us experience some monthly mood fluctuation that is related to
it. For those who suffer from PMS, the week before a menstrual period
will be an emotionally difficult one. As women enter the perimenopause,
the levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone start to fall
naturally. For women who have put off having a family until later in
life, these problems can be particularly acute.
Why is this a problem? It is all about balance in our bodies. We have
three main sex hormones – oestrogen, testosterone and progesterone. The
balance of these three regulate a host of bodily functions from sleep
to libido. Along with a host of other effects, an imbalance inhibits
the bodies ability to manage stress and to experience positive moods.
The relationship between stress and depression has been well
documented, as has the connection between negative introspection and
hormone imbalances. So it is no surprise to find that many of the
symptoms of hormone imbalance are shared with depression. It is no
wonder that many doctors fail to spot the warning signs and
automatically begin with anti-depressants or psychotherapy.
Problems for women typically begin during the perimenopause, which can
begin in the mid-thirties and can last for ten years. Unfortunately,
the first hormone to be affected is progesterone and this is sometimes
referred to as the happy hormone. As it’s levels drop symptoms such as
agitation, fatigue, anxiety and a short temper can emerge. Women feel
that they lack motivation, have low energy levels and low self-estime.
Of course this is happening at a time in their lives when bereavement,
high levels of job stress, and relationship breakdown are common
challenges. It is not surprising that doctors could see these as
triggers for depression rather than hormone imbalance. However, much of
depression is to do with styles of thinking, behaviour and
interpersonal relationships. Hormone imbalance has a physical cause and
needs a different treatment approach. Part of the problem lies in the
fact that you cannot always diagnose a hormone imbalance by blood test
alone. Other factors such as history of PMS and health during pregnancy
need to be explored, but are sometimes overlooked.
Several factors can exacerbate the situation. Extreme weight loss plans
are a bad for your health for several reason. They have been linked to
problems with hormone levels. High protein, low carb regimes are the
worst. Alcohol and caffeine also seem to make things worse.
Many people report success in using natural progesterone cream if they
are not producing enough. This should not be confused with the
chemically produced Progestin, which will not produce the same effect.
Others swear by the results they get from herbal supplements,
especially chasteberry. This extract is claimed to boost progesterone
levels and so is used to treat hormone imbalances and PMS. There are
conflicting claims abaout how effective supplements can be.
Many in conventional medicine turn to HRT for treatment. What – the
menopause already, and an elevated cancer risk? To get over possible
side effects, doctors are turning to bioidentical hormones. These occur
naturally and are made from plant extracts. Results from treatments
look promising at the moment.
No matter what the treatment, your starting point is a sound diagnosis.
So make sure it really is depression before going down that route.
You can find more meopause information and discussions in our forum