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.
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/
Topics
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