Late menopause lowers your risk of depression

Menopause at the age of 50 might prevent you from depression. But if you are at risk fo early menopause, here are expert tips to help you out.

Menopause at an older age lowers the risk of depression for women in later life, says a new study. The study found that menopause at 40 or older compared with premature menopause was associated with a decreased risk for depression. Older age at menopause and a longer reproductive period mean a longer exposure to endogenous (produced within the body's cells) sex hormone estrogens. The study was published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.

This meta-analysis suggests a potentially protective effect of increasing duration of exposure to endogenous estrogens as assessed by age at menopause as well as by the duration of the reproductive period, the researchers said. The findings could have a significant clinical effect by allowing for the identification of a group of women at higher risk for depression who may benefit from psychiatric monitoring or estrogen-based therapies, said Eleni Petridou from National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, and colleagues. The findings are based on review and analysis of 14 studies that represented nearly 68,000 women. (Read: 11 symptoms that signal onset of menopause)

Tips to lower your risk of early menopause (if you are at risk)

There are various factors that put you at risk of early menopause right from late marriages and environmental pollution to stress and diseases. Here are 5 reasons why you should think twice before using fertility drugs. However, if you are at risk of early menopause, you can lower your risk of early menopause by inculcating simple habits in your daily routine, says Dr Nupur Gupta, Consultant Gynaecologist & Obstetrician, Director Well Woman Clinic, Gurgaon, . These include -

• Exercising at least 30 minutes every day without fail. It can be brisk walking, running, yoga or cardio.
• Eat green leafy vegetables and foods rich in folic acid as it helps you to sail through hormonal complications that might occur during pregnancy.
• Include complex carbohydrates in your diet rather than simple carbohydrates as this might cause a drastic surge in your blood glucose levels.
• Load up your intake of proteins and replace saturated fats with trans fats as these paly a key role in various body functions.
• If possible, try to avoid intake of supplements and go natural. If needed, consult your gynaecologist and never self-medicate. For more information on early menopause, click here!

With inputs from IANS

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