A hidden reason for menopausal symptoms in premenopausal aged women: depression

The relationship between depression and reproductive hormone changes in menopausal women is well konown but recent animal studies showed that depression can also cause changes in reproductive hormone levels. According to this, we aimed to eveluate the impact of depression on circulating follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels in premenopausal women in terms of menopausal symptoms. A total of 120 premenoupausal women (age ranges 41-45) were divided into two groups as: study group consisted of patients (n = 60) with depression and the control group (n = 60) involved healthy women. Psychometric assessment of study group was done by the Turkish version of Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Diagnosis.The presence of menopausal symptoms of all subjects was assessed by the Turkish version of Menopause Rating Scale and hormonal activity by estimating estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Study group had significantly lower mean concentration of estradiol and higher intensity of menopausal symptoms than control group. Presence and severity of menopausal symptoms were not associated with follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations. The results of this study confirm the connection between menopausal symptoms and depression both on clinical and physiological level.The current study is unique in its ability to assess the effects of depression on menopausal symptoms in women as they are still reproductive.