My story of hormonal depression: when my hormones change, I change [Video]

Depression in women is common at times of hormonal change. Reproductive depression is a hormonally based depression that can come and go over the course of your reproductive life, including the perimenopause. 

You might have this if you experienced premenstrual depression (you might think of it as PMS) and if you’ve had children, you may have suffered with postnatal depression. 

When you enter the perimenopause, symptoms of depression might be at their worst yet (even though they can still fluctuate) and they may last for several years before your periods finish for good. Most women find that when they’re pregnant and not getting monthly cycles their mood is more stable. 

In this video, Dr Hannah Ward shares her experience. 

Hannah has written this factsheet with Dr Louise Newson on reproductive depression.

More mental health and menopause resources can be found here.