Is bipolar disorder linked to the perimenopause?

Most women enter perimenopause in their 40s. This is the point at which their body transitions to menopause, marking the time after which they can no longer reproduce. During this period, chemical processes within the body cause a gradual reduction in oestrogen and progesterone, causing hot flushes, mood swings and fatigue, among other symptoms.

Can perimenopause trigger mental health complaints?

It is unsurprising that as a woman’s body transitions through perimenopause, she will often experience an increased risk of mental health complaints. Experiencing fatigue and uncontrollable mood swings will induce feelings of angst, guilt and frustration.

A study by Cardiff University, Bipolar UK and the UK Biobank has identified that women at this stage in their lives are also at increased risk of experiencing bipolar disorder and depression

What will change as a result of this study?

It is hoped that these findings will trigger additional research into this area, with the intent being to identify risk factors and predict the likelihood of individual women succumbing to these mental health complaints. By targeting intervention to those who need it most, it is hoped that the effects of the disease will be minimised, allowing perimenopausal women to transition through this challenging time with reduced side effects and an improved quality of life.

Medical practitioners wanting to learn more about the outcomes of this study and the possibilities offered by further research should consider attending mental health training courses Blackpool run by specialist training providers such as https://www.tidaltraining.co.uk/mental-health-training-courses/blackpool. Attendance on a course such as this will allow them to expand their knowledge of the mental health changes that are commonly associated with perimenopause and enable them to deliver a higher quality of care to the women they support.

Being able to explain why bipolar or other mental health illnesses are impacting a woman with no previous history of the condition can assist in making a rapid diagnosis. Providing appropriate interventions will not only improve medical outcomes but could deliver life-changing support to those who may otherwise succumb to depression and suicidal ideation.

Eliana Brown

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