Early Menopause Is a Risk Factor for Postmenopausal Depression in Healthy Women, But Are Depressive Episodes a Risk Factor for Early Menopause?

Abstract

Background: This study investigated whether age of menopause in bipolar women is different from that in healthy women and if there is a relationship between age at menopause and previous depressive episodes.

Methods: We consecutively evaluated 86 euthymic and postmenopausal women who were older than 33 years and were diagnosed with bipolar disorder according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). The healthy control group comprised 100 individuals of similar age. After the diagnostic interview, bipolar patients completed the Mood Disorders Diagnosis and Follow-Up Form (SKIP-TURK).

Results: Age at menopause in bipolar women was earlier than that of the controls (P = 0.001). Age at menopause correlated with age of onset of bipolar disorder (r = 0.453). A strong inverse correlation was found between the age of menopause and total duration of depressive episodes (r = -0.542).

Conclusion: Early-onset bipolar disorder is associated with early ages of menopause. Age at menopause seems to be related to duration of depressive period. Considering the effects of hypoestrogenemia on ischemic heart diseases and cognitive impairment, it is important that the risk which is already high for both situations should be reduced, and depressive periods should be prevented.




J Clin Gynecol Obstet. 2018;7(3-4):69-71
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jcgo504w