---
title: Does lower estrogen during menopause cause depression and anxiety?
description: Women going through menopause who had depression had lower estrogen levels than those without depression, suggesting a link. The very small sample means we ca
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effect-of-perimenopausal-estrogen-levels-on-depression-and-anxiety-a-pilot-2015/
---

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- Does lower estrogen during menopause cause depression and anxiety?

Survey study, 2015

# Does lower estrogen during menopause cause depression and anxiety?

Women going through menopause who had depression had lower estrogen levels than those without depression, suggesting a link. The very small sample means we cannot prove this causes depression.

 Early or limited evidence

30 women going through menopause

## What they did

Measured estrogen hormone levels and checked for depression and anxiety symptoms in 30 women going through menopause with irregular periods.

## What they found

Women with depression had clearly lower estrogen levels than women without depression. Hot flushes, body weight, smoking, age, and PMS levels were similar between the two groups.

## What it means for you

Lower estrogen during menopause may be connected to depression. The main limits are the very small sample of 30 women and this being a one-time study, so other causes cannot be ruled out.

30

women studied

20

FSH IU threshold

## About the study

Original title The effect of perimenopausal estrogen levels on depression and anxiety: a pilot study Authors Buket Belkız Güngör, Mahmut Gungor, İbrahim Taymur et al. Journal The European Research Journal Year 2015 Study design Survey study Participants 30 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.18621/eurj.2015.1.1.8](https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.2015.1.1.8)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)

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