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Menopause is emotionally and physically turbulent for many women, but its association with clinical depression is uncertain. In two longitudinal studies, researchers assessed depressive symptoms during the transition to menopause in premenopausal women without past clinical depression.
Boston researchers followed 460 women (age range, 36–45) for 8 years; 326 women (71%) entered perimenopause, and 134 (29%) remained premenopausal. In analyses adjusted for age and negative life events, women in perimenopause were more likely to have new onset of depressive symptoms (33% vs. 20%) or severe clinical depression (17% vs. 10%) than women who remained premenopausal.
Philadelphia researchers followed 231 women (age range, 35–47) for 8 years; 43% enter…