Interdisciplinary Approaches to Address Mental Health Concerns During Menopause

Menopause, marking the cessation of menstrual periods, typically occurs in women around their late 40s to early 50s. While it's a natural biological process, menopause is increasingly recognized as a significant factor in the development or exacerbation of depressive symptoms. While not all women experience depression during menopause, hormonal fluctuations, particularly the decline in estrogen levels, can contribute to changes in mood and emotional well-being. These changes may manifest as feelings of sadness, hopelessness, irritability, or anxiety, resembling symptoms of clinical depression. Moreover, menopause often coincides with other life stressors such as aging, health concerns, or changes in personal relationships, which can further contribute to feelings of depression. However, it's essential to distinguish between transient mood changes associated with menopause, menopausal depression as an entity and clinical depression requiring intervention.

Recognizing menopause as a potential risk factor for depression underscores the importance of comprehensive healthcare for menopausal women, including mental health assessments and appropriate support or treatment options when needed. By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of menopause, healthcare providers can better assist women in navigating this life transition and maintaining their overall well-being.

We invite manuscript submissions encompassing a wide array of topics, including but not limited to the following:
• Defining menopausal depression as a distinct clinical entity: Studies indicate a notable prevalence of mental health concerns during the menopausal transition, influenced by individual and environmental factors. Evidence-based approaches to management encompass
• Lifestyle modifications
• Women experiencing menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and concurrent low mood or emerging depression are likely to benefit from Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), either alone or in combination with antidepressants. The favorable impact of estrogen on menopausal depression has been documented.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), with or without adjunct antidepressants, emerges as a preferred strategy for addressing anxiety and stress related to menopausal life events, particularly in instances where HRT is contraindicated.
• Does acupuncture help vasomotor symptoms and subsequently relief depression
• A collaborative approach involving gynaecologists, psychiatrists, and specialized nurses is paramount for the comprehensive management of menopause-related psychiatric symptoms.
• How much medical students know about menopause interaction with mental health

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Menopause, Mental health, Depressive symptoms, Menopausal depression, Hormonal fluctuations, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Hormone Replacement Therapy

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.