Women are more than twice as likely to develop bipolar disorder during the years leading up to menopause, according to a new study.
Researchers analyzed data from 128,294 UK women over a four-year period surrounding their final menstrual cycle. The study found that the likelihood of developing bipolar disorder increased by 112% during perimenopause, while the risk of major depressive disorder rose by 30%.
Perimenopause is the stage when women experience menopause-related symptoms, such as anxiety, mood swings, and cognitive difficulties, but still have menstrual periods.
Professor Arianna Di Florio of Cardiff University, who led the study, noted that while approximately 80% of women develop symptoms during perimenopause, the impact on the onset of severe mental illnesses was previously unknown.
She explained that in her clinical practice, some women who had not previously experienced significant mental health issues developed severe mental illness during this transitional phase. This motivated her to find answers for these women.
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Professor Di Florio emphasized that the findings could offer much-needed support for women who have been uncertain about the changes they are experiencing.
Florio highlighted the importance of research in expanding the understanding of mental health changes associated with perimenopause, which could lead to better explanations, diagnoses, and support for affected women.
The study, published in the journal Nature Mental Health, was conducted in collaboration with Bipolar UK and the UK Biobank. Clare Dolman, an ambassador for Bipolar UK and a key figure in the study’s patient and public involvement, described the findings as potentially “life-saving.”
Florio stated that the study provides crucial evidence that hormonal changes during menopause have a significant impact on women’s mental health. As someone with bipolar disorder who has gone through menopause, Dolman expressed hope that this research would lead to greater recognition of the importance of studying hormonal influences on mood disorders.
The study focused on the first onset of psychiatric disorders during perimenopause and did not explore the recurrence of pre-existing mental health conditions. Bipolar UK has called for further research on individuals with a history of mental illness to better understand these connections.
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