Midlife Crisis: Not Just For Men?
When you think of the term “midlife crisis”, you probably think of middle aged men. However, middle aged women also experience changes that can lead to a crisis in their lives, as well. Women ages 40 to 69 are at a higher risk of depression and taking their own lives than women of other ages. What is it about middle aged women that puts them at this higher risk?
While there are many possible causes for depression, we do know that middle aged women often suffer from depressed moods as a result of hormonal imbalance. The article states, “Women are susceptible to depression but older women may also be suffering from pre-menopause hormone fluctuations that can affect mood changes and depression.”
These are some of the hormonally-related causes of depression that commonly affect women in midlife:
Low Progesterone:
The brain is highly sensitive to progesterone. In fact, progesterone is found in brain cells at levels twenty times higher than in the blood serum. The phenomenon of post partum depression provides further evidence of the important role that progesterone plays in the brain.
Estrogen Dominance:
Hormonal variations can affect levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Low levels of one or more of these chemical messengers are common in patients with depression. Chronically elevated levels of estrogen can also induce depression and anxiety by causing functional hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism:
The brain is highly sensitive to hormone depletion, and patients with low levels of thyroid hormones often experience depression and problems with concentration and short-term memory.
Do not be tempted to opt for an antidepressant as a solution for your depression – for this can possibly worsen your depression and have devastating consequences. Antidepressants are very addicting and have a host of negative and dangerous side effects, including more depression and suicidal and homicidal behavior. Furthermore, they do not solve the underlying cause of your depression.
Why not take the first step to addressing your depression by finding out what your body is missing? Balance and replenish your hormones with hormones that are identical to those made by your body – bioidentical hormones. Regain your health and vitality so that you can avoid that midlife crisis!
Do you have symptoms of hormone decline and imbalance?
The easiest way to determine if you might be suffering from a hormone deficiency is to assess your symptoms. Take our symptom checker quiz to find out where you stand.
