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Psychological Effects of the Menopause

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HRT and Osteoporosis

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Abstract

The menopause may have several psychological effects, but this chapter will focus solely on depression, which is generally regarded as the most common effect. Depression at the menopause is often said to have three distinctive features. First, it is said that the risk of a woman becoming depressed at the menopause is exceptionally high. Second, menopausal depression is said to have special causes, notably lack of oestrogen. Third, the treatment of menopausal depression is said to be special, particularly in relation to the indications for hormone replacement therapy. The aim of this chapter, therefore, is to examine three questions:

  1. 1.

    Is depression more frequent at the menopause than at other times in a woman’s life?

  2. 2.

    Does such depression have special causes, whether physical or psychological?

  3. 3.

    Does it have special treatment needs?

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Authors
  1. D. Gath
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  2. S. Iles
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Clarendon Wing, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, LS1 3EX, UK

    James O. Drife MD, FRCS Ed, FRCOG (Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology) (Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

  2. King’s College Hospital, London, SE5 9RS, UK

    John W. W. Studd MD, BS, FRCOG (Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Director) (Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Director)

  3. The Menopause Clinic, Dulwich Hospital, East Dulwich Grove, London, SE22 8PT, UK

    John W. W. Studd MD, BS, FRCOG (Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Director) (Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Director)

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© 1990 Springer-Verlag London Limited

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Gath, D., Iles, S. (1990). Psychological Effects of the Menopause. In: Drife, J.O., Studd, J.W.W. (eds) HRT and Osteoporosis. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1799-5_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1799-5_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-1801-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-1799-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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