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Premenstrual Mood Symptoms in the Perimenopause

  • Reproductive Psychiatry and Women's Health (CN Epperson and L Hantsoo, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review considers how reproductive aging may impact the trajectory of menstrually related mood disorders (MRMDs) such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder and considers how the treatment of MRMDs might require adjustment as patients approach midlife.

Recent Findings

The early menopause transition is accompanied by important hormonal changes that may exacerbate existing MRMDs. Indeed, recent research confirms that an important subset of women experiences depressive mood in response to perimenopausal elevations in ovarian hormones. In addition, a subset of women with an MRMD may exhibit an increased mood sensitivity to the ovarian hormone withdrawal that accompanies the late menopause transition and early postmenopausal phase.

Summary

Though additional research is needed to clarify the trajectory of premenstrual dysphoria in the menopause transition, there is reason to believe that health care providers should be vigilant for a potential worsening of symptoms in perimenopause for women with past or current premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Funding

Dr. Gordon is supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health (CIHR) Canada Research Chair and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grant (RGPIN-2020–05488). Ms. Sander is supported by an NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, Canada

    Bethany Sander & Jennifer L. Gordon

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Correspondence to Jennifer L. Gordon.

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Sander, B., Gordon, J.L. Premenstrual Mood Symptoms in the Perimenopause. Curr Psychiatry Rep 23, 73 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01285-1

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