Womens Health
Issue
Women are twice as likely to develop depression than men. In fact,
from 10% to 25% of women will experience an episode of major depression
at some time in their lives.
Why is Depression More Common in Women?
Rates of depression are similar in girls and boys before adolescence,
but with the onset of puberty, a female's risk of developing depression
increases dramatically, to twice that of males.
Experts believe that women may be more prone to depression
because of changes in hormone levels that occur throughout a woman's
life such as during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as
after giving birth, having a hysterectomy, or experiencing a miscarriage.
In addition, the hormone fluctuations that occur with each month's
menstrual cycle increase the risk for premenstrual syndrome, or PMS,
and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD.
According to the National Institutes of Health, several other
factors that are unique to women may contribute to their higher rates
of depression. These include reproductive, genetic, or other biological
factors, interpersonal factors, and certain psychological and personality
characteristics.
In
addition, for women trying to balance a home and a
career, stresses continue to pile up.
What Factors
Place a Woman at Higher Risk For Depression?
Loss of a parent before age 10
Physical or sexual abuse as a child
History of mood disorders in early reproductive years
Family history of mood disorders
Use of certain oral contraceptives
Use of certain infertility treatments
Ongoing psychological and social stress (e.g., loss of job, relationship
stress, separation or divorce)
Loss of social support system or the threat of such a loss
How Does Depression Differ in Women and Men?
Depression in women may occur earlier, last longer, be more likely
to recur, be more likely to be associated with stressful life events,
and be more sensitive to seasonal changes
Women with depression are more likely to experience symptoms that
are less typical of depression such as sleeping and eating excessively.
Women are more likely to experience guilty feelings and attempt suicide,
although they are successful less often than men.
Depression in women is more likely to be associated with anxiety disorders,
especially panic and phobic symptoms, and eating disorders.
Depressed women are less likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs.Premenstrual
Syndrome, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Depression.
Up to 75% of menstruating women experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS),
a disorder characterized by emotional and physical symptoms that fluctuate
in intensity from one menstrual cycle to the next, usually affecting
women in their 20s or 30s. Some 3-5% of menstruating women experience
premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, a severe form of PMS, marked
by highly emotional and physical symptoms that usually become more
severe 7 to 10 days before the onset of menstruation.
In the last decade, these fluctuations in hormone levels have become
recognized as important causes of discomfort and behavioral change
in women.
While the precise link between PMS, PMDD, and depression is still
unknown, chemical changes in the brain and fluctuating
hormone levels are both thought to be contributing factors.