Depression in women

Depression is a mental health condition that causes people to feel extremely sad or empty. It also affects energy levels, making it hard to reach goals and meet the demands of daily life. Depression is common, and women may experience depression more often than men due to social pressures and hormonal changes. The good news is that depression is treatable, and support is available.

There is no single cause of depression; it often happens for a mix of reasons. Some of those reasons are related to our bodies and how they work, and others are related to the world around us.

Hormonal factors

The unique and profound hormonal changes that women go through can affect mood and cause depressive symptoms.

• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): Monthly dips and spikes in different hormones can cause depressive symptoms, sometimes enough to severely impact functioning.
• Pregnancy and postpartum depression (also sometimes called perinatal depression): The biological changes that happen in the body, as well as the drastic shifts to role and routine that come with becoming a parent, can bring about depression.
• Perimenopause and menopause: Hormonal changes and life transitions can increase vulnerability for depression.

It is important to remember that depression is not a normal part of any life stage, and it is a treatable condition.

Societal factors

The pressures that women face may also help explain why they have higher rates of depression. Balancing work and home demands can be very stressful. These demands can be especially stressful for mothers, who often carry more of the mental load of managing a household. The constant planning, remembering, and organizing of tasks can increase the likelihood of burnout, depression, and relationship issues. 

Women are also more likely to experience intimate partner violence and poverty, which increases the likelihood of developing depression.

• Research shows a strong relationship between eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia nervosa) and depression in women.
• Women are also more at risk for developing an anxiety disorder, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. This is due to both biological factors, like hormonal fluctuations and brain chemistry, as well as social factors, such as experiencing discrimination and violence.

Depression in women is common and treatable. You are not alone, and support is available. Finding the right help may take time, but feeling better is possible.

You should consider reaching out for support if you have:

• Symptoms that last more than two weeks
• Depression is making it hard to work, care for yourself, or connect with others
• You feel stuck, overwhelmed, or hopeless
• You have thoughts of harming yourself

Your primary care doctor is a good place to start when seeking help for depression. They will likely refer you to a mental health professional who can help you with therapy and/or medication options. Medications may include antidepressants or hormone-based treatments, depending upon what your health care provider believes to be the root cause of your depression.

It is important to seek help right away if you are struggling with depression. Left untreated, those who experience depression are at a higher risk of suicide.

• The suicide rate for women in the U.S. is highest for women between the ages of 45-64.
• Women who earn a lower income, have a history of trauma, and/or have been incarcerated are at a higher risk for suicide.
• Although men are more likely than women to die by suicide, women report attempting suicide more often than men.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, 24/7 help is available. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

Resources from MHA

Women’s Resource Center

Depression

Bipolar disorder

What is depression really like?

I feel guilty about being depressed

Am I depressed or just sad?

I’m emotionally exhausted

I feel overwhelmed

Types of intrusive thoughts

This content was created with support from Sage Therapeutics and Biogen.