The Relationship Between Hormonal Profile and Depressive Symptoms in Menopausal Women

Objective: As the average life expectancy gets longer and the menopausal women population increases, the notion of curing menopausal complaints becomes increasingly more important. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between hormonal parameters and the severity of depressive symptoms. Methods: In this study, 171 voluntary women referred to Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Menopausal Clinic, from January 2009 to August 2009 and who had not had menstrual periods for at least 12 months were enrolled and questionnaires for sociodemographic data and menopausal symptoms, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were applied. Since surgical menopausal cases were considered as a different category, they were not included. The data were analyzed using NCSS. Results: Mild depression was found in 49.7% of the cases. 18.7% of the cases had moderate depression, 65.5% had minor anxiety and 23% had major anxiety. We found no significant relation between Follicule Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels and depression rate whereas there was a significant relation between FSH levels and the anxiety rate. There was also significant relation between estradiol (E2) levels and depression along with anxiety. Mild depression was found higher in our cases who had atrophic vulvovajinitis. Conclusion: Levels of blood FSH and E2 are significantly related with the existence of depression and anxiety. Results suggest that although menopause itself cannot be accepted as the only reason for depressive symptoms, a multidisciplinary approach, including gynecologists, family doctors and physiciatrists, should be adopted to evaluate psychosocial and psychosomatic factors as a whole in premenopausal, perimenopaual and postmenopausal stages.