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Posted by Dr. Deepti Asthana on 20-09-2026
Menopause is when your period stops permanently. Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life. You may have menopause symptoms and irregular periods as your body changes to menopause over time.
The average age for menopause is 52. As a result of the hormonal changes that occur during menopause, it is normal for women to develop mental health issues.
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Menopause causes a number of physical symptoms, all of which can be distressing, alongside mood changes that are common during this transition.
Menopause is when your period stops permanently — a natural stage in a woman’s life.
You may have menopause symptoms and irregular periods as your body changes over time.
The average age for menopause is 52.
As a result of the hormonal changes that occur during menopause, it is normal for women to develop mental health issues.
These consequences, like chronic premenstrual syndrome (PMS), can induce emotional stress. If you have a pre-existing mental health issue, the impacts of menopause may induce a relapse or change in your mental health.
A relationship between depression and menopause has yet to be discovered in clinical investigations. Women who had severe PMS in their younger years or experienced postpartum depression may have more severe mood fluctuations during perimenopause, according to research.
Women who have previously had clinical depression are more likely to have recurrent clinical depression at menopause.
Menopause has been linked to an increase in bipolar illness symptoms. According to research, women with bipolar disorder are more vulnerable to hormonal changes throughout menopause.
Women with bipolar disorder had more depressive episodes throughout menopause than those who do not. This is most likely due to a drop in the hormone oestrogen, which occurs naturally throughout menopause.
According to research, a decrease in oestrogen might cause or aggravate mental health disorders, including psychotic illnesses. Women with pre-existing chronic schizophrenia may face worsening symptoms and a greater need for treatment.
Perimenopause may also increase the likelihood of developing schizophrenia psychosis for the first time. While schizophrenia often manifests itself in adolescence, there is a second peak in women around menopause.
Mood disturbances connected with the menopause transition can manifest as a wide range of symptoms. Screening measures such as the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R) are frequently used in this environment to identify symptoms, which may include:
Depressive symptoms may be severe enough to constitute a depressive disorder. However, some depressive symptoms, such as sleep trouble and reduced libido, are common menopausal experiences that are unrelated to mood disorder. This distinction is clinically significant for providing patient-centered care, guiding management decisions, and tracking therapy response.
There is a lot of evidence that there is a link between the menopause transition and depressive symptoms.
There are various other factors in the menopause transition that contribute to the development of depressive symptoms.
Depressive symptoms during the menopause transition are multifaceted, and treatment should take into account the individual’s medical history as well as clinical experience.
Antidepressants continue to be the first-line pharmaceutical treatment for perimenopausal mood disorder.
Has been demonstrated to be useful in treating perimenopausal women’s depressed symptoms. For women with an intact uterus, concurrent progesterone medication is required, which has been shown to potentially aggravate depression symptoms.
While hormone therapy may provide additional benefit for mood disturbance when used to treat vasomotor symptoms, current guidelines advise against using hormonal therapy to treat perimenopausal depression as the primary treatment.
CBT has been demonstrated to be beneficial in alleviating both physical and psychological symptoms of menopause, and it is an important alternative or addition to pharmacological treatment.
The use of psychological management to address the biopsychosocial difficulties that arise during the menopause transition should also be considered as part of a comprehensive plan.
Depressive symptoms during the menopause transition are multifaceted, and treatment should take into account the individual’s medical history as well as clinical experience.
Mild mood changes are a normal part of this transition. The following are reasons to book a consultation sooner rather than later.
Call and book your appointment with Dr. Deepti Asthana, who is the best gynecologist in Fortis Gurgaon, if you have been dealing with menopause and its effects.
Dr. Deepti Asthana is a highly distinguished Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and minimally invasive surgeon with over 14 years of clinical experience. She holds an MBBS from KGMC, Lucknow, and an MS from SMS Medical College, Jaipur. Currently, she serves as a Consultant at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, and is the esteemed Director of Kalosa Aesthetics.
A highly specialized area of her advanced gynecological practice is understanding how the hormonal transitions of menopause affect a woman’s mental health, and guiding her through it with a treatment plan that considers both mind and body together.
With specialized fellowship training in laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Asthana provides compassionate, world-class care for complete female wellness, from fertility-preserving surgeries to pioneering cosmetic gynecology.
Recognising that patient care, a gentle bedside manner and precise clinical outcomes come first, Dr Deepti Asthana takes pride in being a compassionate doctor who always puts her patients’ needs first.
I am extremely grateful to my gynaecologist Dr Deepti Asthana for excellent care and guidance throughout my pregnancy and delivery from the very first visit till the birth of my first baby. Thank you for your expertise and dedication. Highly recommended for any expectant parents.
I have been consulting Dr. Deepti since the past 3 years. Starting as my gynaecologist, treating my PMOS to guiding me into motherhood and finally, being my Obstetrician to deliver my twin babies via C-section. She has been an unwavering support throughout the journey, and all this could not have been possible without her. She has a very professional, knowledgeable, non-judgmental and empathetic approach towards all her patients, and makes you feel comfortable and heard. I can definitely recommend her to others with my eyes closed.
Dr Deepti Asthana is a wonderful doctor and I feel really fortunate to have found her. She has a pleasant, positive and reassuring manner. She listened to my concerns as a patient and factored them in her treatment plan. My surgery went off seamlessly and the recovery is also very good. Her coordinator Rhea was also very helpful.
Dr Deepti Asthana answers the questions patients ask most often in the clinic.
Dr Deepti Asthana explains the physical and emotional changes of menopause.
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Short expert insights on menopause, mental health and women’s wellbeing.
As a result of the hormonal changes that occur during menopause, particularly the drop in oestrogen, it is normal for women to develop mental health issues. Oestrogen plays a role in neuroregulatory pathways involving serotonin and noradrenaline, both of which are involved in mood regulation.
Mood changes such as impatience, sorrow, lack of motivation, aggression, issues focusing, tension, difficulty concentrating and depression are prevalent throughout menopause. These effects, like chronic premenstrual syndrome, can induce emotional stress.
A direct causal relationship has yet to be established in clinical investigations, but several longitudinal studies have found that women in the menopause transition are up to twice as likely as premenopausal women to develop a depressive disorder, with an overall frequency of up to 40%.
Yes. If you have a pre-existing mental health issue, the impacts of menopause may induce a relapse or a change in your mental health. Women with bipolar disorder or chronic schizophrenia may see symptoms worsen and need closer review of their treatment during this period.
Perimenopause may increase the likelihood of developing schizophrenia psychosis for the first time. While schizophrenia often manifests in adolescence, research shows there is a second peak in women around menopause.
Screening measures such as the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R) are frequently used. Symptoms may include low mood, sleep problems, lack of appetite, reduced libido, feelings of worthlessness, and loss of interest in regular activities.
No. Some symptoms, such as sleep trouble and reduced libido, are common menopausal experiences unrelated to a mood disorder. This distinction matters clinically, since it guides management decisions and helps track how well treatment is working.
Oestrogen hormone therapy has been shown to help perimenopausal depressive symptoms in some studies. However, current guidelines advise against using hormonal therapy as the primary treatment for perimenopausal depression, though it may add benefit when used to treat vasomotor symptoms like hot flushes.
Antidepressants remain the first-line pharmaceutical treatment for perimenopausal mood disorder. Cognitive-behavioural therapy has also been shown to help with both the physical and psychological symptoms of menopause, and treatment is always tailored to individual history.
See a doctor if low mood, irritability or loss of interest in activities lasts most days for two weeks or more, if you have thoughts of worthlessness or hopelessness, or if an existing mental health condition seems to be worsening. Early assessment allows treatment to start sooner.