Hormonal imbalances, especially in women, have been linked to depression. Estrogen and progesterone deficiencies are common culprits, with depression occurring most frequently during menstruation, premenopause, menopause, and after childbirth. Hormone therapy has been shown to help alleviate depressive symptoms.
Several factors point to a connection between hormones and depression. The most compelling link comes from the fact that the risk of depression is higher during times of hormonal imbalance, especially for women. Experts have yet to determine the exact relationship between hormones and depression, but studies have shown that hormones play a role in depression and related symptoms.
Although several hormones are suspected to be linked to depression, two of the most common are estrogen and progesterone. Both occur naturally in the female body and deficiencies appear to cause depression or depressive symptoms. Women most frequently experience depression after childbirth and during menstruation, premenopause, and menopause, all of which are times when the body is experiencing an extreme hormonal imbalance. The specific cause-and-effect relationship between hormones and depression is unknown, but statistics have shown that depression occurs more frequently when hormones are out of balance.
About 80% of new mothers experience some level of depression after giving birth. So-called “bablues,” a common and minor form of depression, have long been linked to the fluctuating hormonal conditions that occur after a woman has a child. In most cases, hormones return to normal within a few weeks and depressive symptoms disappear on their own. An estimated 15% of women suffer from a much more serious condition known as postpartum depression. This is also related to hormonal imbalance, but other factors probably contribute to this severe depression and treatment is needed.
Depression also occurs more frequently in women going through menopause, with about 10% experiencing major depression. Estrogen levels begin to decline during menopause, and this deficiency is thought to lead to depression. Women who receive hormone therapy during menopause have been shown to be less likely to suffer from depression. The direct link between hormones and depression during menopause is unknown, but normal hormone levels appear to discourage the development of depression.
Hormones and depression are also connected by the thyroid gland. The thyroid regulates the production of hormones in men and women, and some cases of depression are thought to be associated with a malfunctioning thyroid gland. Depression and a thyroid condition have similar symptoms, and hormone therapy may regulate thyroid function and associated depressive behaviors.
Blood tests can reveal a hormonal imbalance in patients suffering from depression. When hormonal abnormalities occur alongside depression, doctors might add hormones to traditional treatment schedules. Research has shown that problems with hormones and depression can be corrected by combining hormone therapy with antidepressants and behavioral or speech therapy. Hormones alone have been used to treat depression with some success. As with any medical condition, professional advice is advised before a person undergoes any procedure or treatment.
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