can depression cause irregular periods

Hi Lausie
The answer to your question is no, depression doesn't lead to the menopause BUT menopause can cause women to feel depressed by the hormonal changes in the body. If you are asking this because your periods have stopped then it could be caused by stress in your life. A woman's body is very sensitive to what is going on in her mind.
I hope that helps!

Love and light

reikiangel

xxx

Can depression cause irregular periods? Yes, particularly if the depression is stress related, prolonged stress can cause havoc with the body for both females and males.

Can depression cause the menopause? No, but depression can be a symptom of the menopause.

Could you be in the menopause now at only 25? Whilst it's unusual, an early menopause is possible.

There are many very simple reasons why periods may be irregular, and also why you might suffer menopausal-type symptoms, all of which are easily treated. I'd suggest a visit to your GP.

Hope that helps!

With love,
Amber

Hi Lausie,

I hope, since your first post, there is an improvement and my comment is probably late and superfluous. I would agree with Amber, that stress can affect the female hormonal system and also it can affect our mood and eventually lead to depression.

I would just like to add, that on a physical level, a thyroid imbalance can actually affect both and be responsible for depression, irregular periods and early onset of menopause.

The thyroid gland, which plays an important role in the body's metabolism, secretes several hormones: thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonin. Other functions of the thyroid include regulating mood, body heat and bone growth, The pituitary gland and thyroid gland work hand-in-hand. If the thyroid is emitting below-average levels of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), the pituitary gland secretes more thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) to stimulate the thyroid gland.

The functions of the thyroid gland have much to do with a woman's reproductive system, particularly if the thyroid is overactive or underactive. Effects of this imbalance in hormone levels may have the following effects on a woman's body:

- Thyroid disorders can cause abnormally early or late onset of puberty and menstruation. In addition, abnormally high or low levels of thyroid hormone can cause very light or very heavy menstrual periods, very irregular menstrual periods, or absent menstrual periods (a condition called amenorrhea).

- An overactive or underactive thyroid may also affect ovulation. Thyroid disorders may prevent ovulation from occurring at all. In addition, the ovaries are at an increased risk for cyst development if the woman has an underactive thyroid (hypothyroid). Severe hypothyroidism can actually cause milk production in the breast, while preventing ovulation.

- Thyroid disorders may cause the early onset of menopause (before age 40 or in the early 40s). In addition, some symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) such as lack of menstruation, hot flashes, insomnia, and mood swings may be mistaken for early menopause. Treating hyperthyroidism sometimes can alleviate symptoms of, or the actual onset of early menopause.

🙂

Andre