---
title: How does depression in women differ from depression in men, and how can it be treated?
description: Depression is twice as common in women as in men. Women experience different symptoms, different patterns of illness, and may respond differently to treatment
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/recognizing-and-managing-depression-in-women-throughout-the-stages-of-life-2000/
---

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- How does depression in women differ from depression in men, and how can it be treated?

Study, 2000

# How does depression in women differ from depression in men, and how can it be treated?

Depression is twice as common in women as in men. Women experience different symptoms, different patterns of illness, and may respond differently to treatment. Hormonal changes during menstruation, birth control use, pregnancy, menopause, and aging can trigger or worsen depression.

 Early or limited evidence

Not a specific study population—this is a literature review article

## What they did

The authors reviewed medical literature on depression in women throughout different life stages and discussed how to diagnose and treat it in each stage.

## What they found

Depression occurs twice as often in women compared to men. Women experience different symptoms and patterns of depression compared to men and may respond differently to treatment. Menstruation, oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, menopause, and aging are life events that can cause or worsen depression in women.

## What it means for you

Women should know that depression is common and that hormonal changes can trigger it at any life stage. Doctors should ask women about the timing of depression in relation to menstrual cycles, birth control, pregnancy, menopause, and aging. The main limitation is that this is a review of existing knowledge rather than new research data.

2x

depression is twice as common in women compared to men

## About the study

Original title Recognizing and managing depression in women throughout the stages of life Authors Carandang JM, Franco-Bronson K, Kamarei S Journal Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine Year 2000 Study design Study Read the paper [doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.67.5.329](https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.67.5.329)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)

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

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Randomised trial, 2001

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Lab study, 2018

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Review, 2011

Can estrogen hormones treat depression linked to the menstrual cycle?

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