Midlife is a time of significant transition for many women. Between parenting responsibilities, career pressures and physical changes, it’s easy to feel emotionally overwhelmed. But when those emotional lows become persistent, it could be more than stress – it may be perimenopause-related depression.
At Rising Roads Recovery, we understand how hormonal shifts can affect your mental health. Our trauma-informed, women-focused approach offers care for every stage of life, including the unique challenges that arise during perimenopause.
What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause, when your ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen. You’ll typically start menopause sometime in your mid-40s, though it can begin earlier or later. This stage can last anywhere from a few months to several years and ends when you’ve gone a full year without having your period.
During perimenopause, fluctuating hormone levels can lead to a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including:
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Brain fog or memory issues
- Changes in libido
Depression is one of the most underrecognized perimenopause symptoms, though estimates suggest it can affect up to 35% of women.
Why Perimenopause Can Trigger Depression
Hormones like estrogen and progesterone are vital for reproductive health, but they also regulate your mood. When these hormone levels fluctuate during perimenopause, they can interfere with the brain chemicals that manage emotions, such as serotonin and dopamine.
Additionally, many women going through perimenopause also face life stressors that contribute to emotional distress, such as aging parents, career changes, empty-nesting or changes in their identity and self-image.
Combined, these biological and situational factors can lead to:
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness
- Anhedonia, or an inability to feel pleasure
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Low energy and chronic fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Difficulty concentrating
- Thoughts of self-harm or withdrawal from others
How to Know if It’s Depression
Everyone feels down from time to time, but clinical depression lasts longer and interferes with your ability to function. It’s time to pay attention if your mood impacts your relationships, work, self-esteem or sense of purpose.
Ask yourself:
- Have I felt this way for more than two weeks?
- Am I withdrawing from others or isolating myself?
- Do I wake up feeling dread, despair or numbness most days?
- Are these symptoms affecting my health, sleep or decision-making abilities?
- Do I feel like I’m no longer myself?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you may be experiencing perimenopausal depression.
What You Can Do About It
Perimenopause depression is treatable, and there is no shame in seeking help. The earlier you address the symptoms, the sooner you can feel like yourself again. Here are some steps to take:
1. Talk to a Professional
Speak with a therapist, psychiatrist or women’s health provider about your experiences. They can determine whether your symptoms relate to perimenopause and develop a personalized plan of care.
2. Consider Hormonal and Psychiatric Options
In some cases, hormone replacement therapy or antidepressants may be appropriate to stabilize your mood. An experienced clinician can help you evaluate your options.
3. Prioritize Restorative Practices
Sleep, nutrition and movement are foundational to emotional regulation. Gentle exercise, yoga and anti-inflammatory foods can balance your body and brain.
4. Get Support From Other Women
Whether it’s a support group or a healing community like Rising Roads, connection can be a powerful antidote to isolation and despair.
5. Address the Bigger Picture
Sometimes, perimenopause depression brings up unresolved trauma, relationship issues or identity questions that have been simmering beneath the surface. Professional therapy can help you explore and process those deeper layers.
Support for Women at Every Stage of Life
At Rising Roads Recovery, we know that emotional health isn’t linear – and midlife can be a uniquely vulnerable time. If you’re struggling with depression tied to hormonal shifts, trauma or other life transitions, we’re here to support you with compassion and expertise. You don’t have to pretend everything’s fine. You deserve care, clarity and connection – especially now. Contact us today to learn more about what we offer.
