Menopausal Depression

Menopausal Mood Changes

Menopausal women often experience mood, cognitive and behavioral changes including:

• Pain during sexual intercourse.
• Whole body: fatigue, night sweats, osteoporosis, hot flashes, or sweating.
• Sleep: early awakening or insomnia.
• Menstrual: absence of menstruation or irregular menstruation.
• Hair: dryness or loss of scalp hair.
• Other: anxiety, dry skin, irritability, moodiness, reduced sex drive, or vaginal dryness.

Women with a history of mood changes associated with menses, pregnancy or the postpartum period are at risk of developing more severe mood changes after menopause.

The purpose of this study is to:

• determine the effects of sleep and light therapy on mood and sleep.
• in both healthy menopausal women and those experiencing mood changes.

• between the ages of 50 and 75.
• no longer have regular menstrual cycles.
• do not smoke.
• do not use hormonal therapy.
• not on certain medications.
  ​May be eligible to participate.