What are women’s mental health problems?
Women and men can suffer from all the same mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia. However, because of women’s ability to bear children, they may also develop conditions that don’t affect men.
These problems typically relate to changes in hormone levels that accompany disruptions to your reproductive system, such as menstruation, pregnancy, motherhood, and menopause.
What women’s mental health problems might affect me?
The most common women’s mental health conditions include:
Postpartum depression affects women following childbirth. It causes feelings of sadness, misery, and emptiness that persist longer than the first few weeks after your baby’s born. You may also find you can’t bond with your baby and feel guilty and overwhelmed.
Some severe cases trigger thoughts of self-harm or harming your baby. Sometimes women develop postpartum psychosis, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that’s much less common than postpartum depression.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
PMS affects women each month at a particular stage of their menstrual cycle — typically in the time just before their period. It can cause mood swings, irritability, cravings for sugar, crying spells, problems sleeping, and a lack of energy.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
PMDD is a more severe form of PMS where you experience disabling mood swings before your period.
Hormone fluctuations at any time in a woman’s life could result in mental health issues. Many women find that the declining hormone levels that trigger menopause (when you stop producing eggs and can no longer become pregnant) cause depression.
The Mesquite Valley Integrated Health team offers sensitive, compassionate treatment for women’s mental health problems.
How are women’s mental health problems treated?
Your Mesquite Valley Integrated Health provider recommends a suitable treatment program based on a comprehensive evaluation.
If a hormone imbalance is causing problems, you might require hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which boosts levels of the female sex hormones estrogen and/or progesterone. Other treatments include:
Your provider will likely recommend conservative treatments first because they’re safe and often all patients need. If these approaches aren’t producing results, you might need to try other therapies.
To discuss your women’s mental health problems and get the expert treatment you need, call Mesquite Valley Integrated Health today or book an appointment online.
