The unique challenges of managing depression in mid-life women

Throughout most of their lives, women are at a greater risk of becoming depressed than men. Some evidence suggests that this heightened risk is associated with increased sensitivity to the hormonal changes that occur across the female reproductive lifecycle. For some women, the peri-menopause and early post-menopausal years may constitute a “window of vulnerability” during which challenging physical and emotional discomforts could result in significant impairment in functioning and poorer quality of life. A number of biological and environmental factors are independent predictors for depression in this population, including the presence of hot flashes, sleep disturbance, history of severe premenstrual syndrome or postpartum blues, ethnicity, history of stressful live events, past history of depression, body mass index and socioeconomic status. This paper explores the current knowledge on the complex associations between mood changes and aging in women. More specifically, the biological aspects of reproductive aging and their impact on mood, psychosocial factors, lifestyle, and overall health are reviewed. In addition, evidence-based hormonal and non-hormonal therapies for the management of depression and other complaints in midlife women are discussed. Ultimately, this article should help clinicians and health professionals to address a challenging clinical scenario: a preventive and effective strategy for the management of depression in the context of the menopausal transition and beyond.