34 MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS |
HEALTH CENTER |
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A variety of factors can have an impact on emotional health, but during menopause hormonal changes put women at an increased risk for depression. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for preventing the potentially serious consequences of depression, so keep reading to learn why depression occurs during menopause and how to control it. |
Estrogen hormones play a major role in bodily processes other than the reproductive system. In fact, estrogen receptors are located in several organs and areas of the brain. They exist in especially high concentrations in the brain center that controls emotion, called the "amygdala." |
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In this area of the brain, estrogen works in conjunction with serotonin, the brain chemical in charge of regulating mood. Estrogen hormones influence several stages of serotonin production, stimulating its secretion, transmission and uptake in the body. Furthermore, estrogen also inhibits the activity of MAOs (monoamine oxidase), compounds which breakdown serotonin.
Given the myriad of functions estrogen plays in serotonin transmission, it is not surprising that when estrogen levels decrease, levels of serotonin do as well. The body is no longer able to secrete and transmit the chemical as effectively as it used to, and serotonin is also broken down at a faster rate. An inadequate level of serotonin is thought to be a major factor in depression. |
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25% of women will experience depression at some point in their lives.
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Estrogen also plays an important role in inhibiting cortisol, a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that high levels of cortisol may be involved in depressive disorders. Without adequate levels of estrogen, the amount of cortisol in the bloodstream can increase, thus contributing to depression.
Women dealing with these hormonal changes may react more strongly to stressful stimuli, meaning that events which would normally be stressful can now trigger severe depression. Keep reading to learn about other common risk factors for depression.
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Depression may feel relentless, but there are different treatment options that can bring relief. Keep reading the section below to learn about the most effective treatments for menopause-related depression, including lifestyle changes, alternative treatments, and medical procedures. |
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Treatment for Depression
with
MacaActive Supplements |
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As you have already read, depression are mainly caused by declining estrogen levels, which is a natural part of aging. Therefore, if you want relief from this undesirable symptom, you must restore estrogen hormone levels.
Today there are three effective ways to normalize hormonal levels: lifestyle changes, alternative medicine and drugs & surgery.
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Lifestyle Changes: This level of treatment involves no risk, but may be the hardest way to go because you'll have to restrict yourself from many things. That's why most people consider the next level of treatment, alternative medicine, which has proven to be excellent for treating depression in a safe and natural way.
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Alternative medicine: There are two types of herbal supplements for treating depression: Those containing phytoestrogenic herbs, and those containing non-estrogenic herbs. Phytoestrogenic herbs (like Black Cohosh) are filled with phytoestrogens, which are similar to estrogens. They can increase low estrogen levels by replacing some of the missing estrogen hormones. This isn't the best solution, however, because your body will become less responsive to producing estrogen on its own, causing a further decrease in body-own hormone levels. Unlike phytoestrogenic herbs, non-estrogenic herbs don't contain estrogen, but nourish hormonal glands to work more efficiently. This ultimately results in balancing not only estrogen, but other necessary hormones, as well. Non-estrogenic herbs are thus one of the best and safest ways to treat depression naturally.
An excellent example of a safe and effective non-estrogenic herb for hormonal imbalance is herbal MacaActive. What makes MacaActive so special is its ability to balance hormonal levels in women by nourishing the hormonal glands. It thus alleviates most disorders related to hormonal imbalance, including depression.  to read more about MacaActive.
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Drugs and Surgery: This level of treatment has the highest risk and often the highest costs. The most common drug therapy for treating depression in the US is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There's no doubt that this is the quickest and strongest way to combat hormonal imbalance. Unfortunately, it entails serious side effects and increases the risk of different types of cancer in women. If you still want to consider this approach, see your doctor to become better informed about what this treatment option involves.
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A safe way for balancing hormones:
Non-estrogenic herbs are the most effective solution for treating hormonal imbalance and its related symptom, depression.
MacaActive is an excellent non-estrogenic herb. It's simple: rather than putting hormones from the outside into your body artificially, MacaActive stimulates your hormone glands into producing the necessary hormones naturally. This is what makes MacaActive supplements so unique. to read all about MacaActive. |
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