---
title: Are women more likely to get depression, especially due to hormonal changes?
description: Yes. Women have 1.7 to 2.7 times higher risk of depression in their lifetime compared to men, and hormonal changes around puberty, periods, and menopause incr
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/epidemiology-of-depression-throughout-the-female-life-cycle-2002/
---

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- Are women more likely to get depression, especially due to hormonal changes?

Review, 2002

# Are women more likely to get depression, especially due to hormonal changes?

Yes. Women have 1.7 to 2.7 times higher risk of depression in their lifetime compared to men, and hormonal changes around puberty, periods, and menopause increase that risk.

 Early or limited evidence

Women across reproductive life stages from puberty through menopause.

## What they did

Reviewed evidence on depression rates and risk in women across different stages of reproductive life: puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum period, and menopause.

## What they found

Women have lifetime major depression rates 1.7 to 2.7 times higher than men. Puberty marks the start of increased depression risk in women. Most women report premenstrual physical or emotional symptoms, with some severe enough to diagnose as PMDD. Pregnancy does not increase depression risk, but women with past depression history are at risk for relapse if antidepressants are stopped. Postpartum period increases depression incidence. Women going through perimenopause, especially those with past psychiatric history, report depressive symptoms.

## What it means for you

Women are biologically at higher risk for depression throughout their reproductive years due to hormonal changes. Women with a history of depression need to be careful about stopping antidepressant medication during life transitions like pregnancy or perimenopause.

1.7 to 2.7 times

Higher lifetime depression rate in women compared to men

## About the study

Original title Epidemiology of depression throughout the female life cycle Authors Burt VK, Stein K Journal The Journal of clinical psychiatry Year 2002 Study design Review Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11995779/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11995779/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Randomised trial, 2001

Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders?

Review, 2012

Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?

Review, 2004

How should PMDD be treated with antidepressants?

Review, 2002

What are the reproductive-related mood disorders and how are they connected?

Survey study, 2002

What treatments work for depression linked to the menstrual cycle and PMDD?

Guideline, 2001

What is the best treatment for PMDD and depression in women?

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