The statistics

• In any given 1-year period, 9.5% of the population, or about 20.9 million American adults, suffer from a depressive illness.
• The prevalence of major depression in women is about two times higher than in men—this difference begins in early adolescence and persists through one’s mid-50s, corresponding to the reproductive years in women.
• The prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) is 5% to 10%, which is the same prevalence of depression in nonpregnant women of the same age.

How does depression affect women differently?

Certain side effects of depression occur much more prevalently in women than in men. For example, symptoms such as anxiety and eating disorders are much more common in women. Men have an increased risk of completed suicide and alcohol or drug abuse.

• Episodes of depression may be longer in women; depression may be more chronic and recurrent.
• Factors that contribute to depression for women include stressful The goals of treatment in depression involve reducing your current symptoms as well as preventing chronic symptoms and relapse of your depression. While there are specific recommendations for preventing chronic symptoms and relapse, preventing the development of depression altogether is not as clear cut. There are many different treatments available for depression, however, many people with depression are not properly diagnosed and treated, perhaps due to the social stigma surrounding depression. In addition, many healthcare professionals find it difficult to diagnose depression if people do not talk about their symptoms and can hide the signs. However, you should understand that the earlier depression is treated the shorter duration of the illness and the less likely it is to become chronic and relapsing. events, seasonal changes, and hormonal changes such as menopause.
• In terms of treatment, women seem to respond better to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) than tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
• Both men and women can be treated to remission with therapy, and remission rates are higher for both men and women when accompanied by a serotonin-norephinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

Depression across the female life cycle

Premenstrual phase

• There is increased vulnerability toward depression during the premenstrual phase, which could be a symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
• Women who suffer severe PMS (mood swings, anxiety, irritability, depressed mood) experience levels of impairment comparable to levels observed in major depression.
• Studies show that intermittent treatment (day 14 or 15 of the cycle) with an antidepressant is effective for PMDD.

Pregnancy
If you have been consistently treated for depression and become pregnant, you will need to alter your treatment so that you can continue to deal with your symptoms without affecting the physical well-being of the fetus. Depression before or during pregnancy is the strongest indicator of postpartum depression (PPD).

There are both risks and benefits of continuing depression treatment during pregnancy and of discontinuing treatment. Medication ingested during pregnancy does reach the fetus. In rare cases, some antidepressants have been associated with breathing and heart problems in newborns, as well as jitteriness after delivery. However, if you stop medication during pregnancy, you may be at increased risk for a relapse in your depression. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best method for ensuring your health and the health of your baby.

Menopause
Women experinecing menopause are at increased risk of developing depression, especially if there is a history of depression or depressive tendencies.

Some studies show that an increase in estrogen levels improves depressive and physical symptoms. Estrogen therapy improves both response and remission rates for antidepressants in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.