Symptom severity of bipolar disorder during the menopausal transition

Associations between lifetime reproductive events among postmenopausal women with bipolar disorder

PURPOSE

The premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle, childbirth and perimenopause often coincide with a worsening of mood symptoms in women with bipolar disorder (BD). To date, findings from the limited number of studies investigating associations between these events among women with BD have been inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate associations between episodes in relation to the perimenopause and (i) premenstrual symptoms and (ii) postpartum mood episodes in a large sample of postmenopausal women with BD.

METHODS

Among 567 postmenopausal women with BD, recruited as part of the UK Bipolar Disorder Research Network, relationships between reproductive event-associated mood symptoms/episodes were examined. Multivariate binary analyses were carried out to identify if history of premenstrual symptoms and/or postpartum episodes predicted the occurrence of mood episodes in relation to the perimenopause, controlling for potential confounders including number of mood episodes per illness year.

RESULTS

History of premenstrual symptoms was associated with experiencing any type of mood episode, and depression specifically, during the perimenopause (OR 6.189, p < 0.001 and OR 2.709, p = 0.019 respectively). History of postpartum depression within 6 weeks of delivery was associated with depressive episodes during the perimenopause (OR 2.635, p = 0.027). Postpartum mania was not a significant predictor.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that women with BD with a history of premenstrual symptoms and postpartum depression are potentially at increased risk of experiencing episodes of depression in relation to the perimenopause. There are clinical and self-management implications in identifying a subgroup of women with BD who may be particularly vulnerable to episodes of mood disturbance during reproductive events.

Development and verification of the Menopause Emotional Symptom Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE

A detailed, well-validated scale for measuring emotional symptoms in menopausal women is lacking. We aimed to develop the Menopause Emotional Symptom Questionnaire (MESQ) and to confirm its reliability and validity among Koreans.

METHODS

Eighteen primary items based on previous research results were selected using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). New data, including answers to the novel MESQ, Menopause Rating Scale, Kupperman Index, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Beck Anxiety Inventory, were collected from 200 perimenopausal women and 100 young men through a research company. Exploratory factor analysis and CFA were performed again to determine whether the MESQ accurately measures emotional symptoms in perimenopausal women. Receiver operating characteristic curve and k-means cluster analyses were used to identify the most appropriate cutoff value.

RESULTS

The MESQ showed high internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.926), and the CFA revealed that the factor structure comprised two subscales: nine items for mood/anxiety symptoms and four items for sleep symptoms. A high correlation between the total MESQ score and total scores of the existing scales was confirmed, indicating high convergence validity. Comparison of the mean MESQ scores between men and women showed significant sex difference, indicating secure known-group validity. The cutoff point of the total MESQ score between the high-risk and low-risk groups was 26.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel MESQ has high validity and reliability, and this study confirmed that the MESQ is a valid tool for screening for and measuring emotional symptoms in menopausal women in Korea.

Impact of menstrual cycle events on bipolar disorder course: a narrative review of current evidence

Several lines of research suggest that reproductive-related hormonal events may affect the course of bipolar disorder in some women. However, data on associations between bipolar disorder and menarche, menstrual cycle, and menopause are mixed. This article reviews the literature on the potential effects of menarche, menstrual cycle, and menopause on bipolar disorder.A narrative review of published articles on bipolar disorder and menstrual cycle events was conducted. The primary outcome assessed was the impact of menarche, menstrual cycle and menopause on the course of bipolar illness. Databases searched were PubMed, Ovid, Scopus, PsycINFO, Medline, and Cochrane Libraries from inception to August 2021.Twenty-two studies were identified and included in the narrative synthesis. Research suggested that a subset of women with bipolar disorder are vulnerable to the impact of menstrual cycle events. Menarche seems to be associated with age at onset of bipolar illness especially in case of bipolar disorder type I and the specific age at menarche may predict some clinical features of the disorder. Menstrual cycle likely affects the course of bipolar disorder but the pattern of mood variability is not clear. Menopause appears to be not only a period of vulnerability to mood alteration, especially depressive episodes, and impairment of quality of life, but also a potential trigger of bipolar illness onset.The impact of menarche, menstrual cycle, and menopause on bipolar disorder is largely understudied. Preliminary evidence suggests that a subset of women with bipolar disorder may have their mood shifts affected by menstrual cycle events, with different patterns depending on the type of bipolar disorder also. Further researches are needed to deep the impact of menarche, menstrual cycle, and menopause on bipolar illness.

Ascorbic acid intake is inversely associated with prevalence of depressive symptoms in US midlife women: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

With the endocrine changes in menopausal transition period, associations between dietary ascorbic acid intake and depressive symptoms may be different. This investigation examined cross-sectional relations between dietary ascorbic acid intake of women and prevalence of depressive symptoms.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis performed on a subsample of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Women enrolled had measures of CES-D depression scores and ascorbic acid intake. Regression models were used to study cross-sectional associations between ascorbic acid intake and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 3088 women aged 42-52 years at baseline were included in the present study. Dietary ascorbic acid intake was inversely associated with depressive symptoms. The adjusted OR and 95% CI of depressive symptoms was 0.699 (0.524 - 0.934) in quartile 4 (the highest) versus quartile 1 (the lowest) of the ascorbic acid intake. Restricted cubic spline analyze showed a suggestion of L-shaped associations between ascorbic acid intake and depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Ascorbic acid intake is inversely associated with prevalence of depressive symptoms in midlife women. Future prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Stress predicts depression symptoms for women living with bipolar disorder during the menopause transition

OBJECTIVE

Although sleep disturbance is an important feature in bipolar disorder, the relationship between mood symptoms, sleep disturbances, and hot flash symptom severity during menopause for women with bipolar disorder is largely unknown.

METHODS

Women with bipolar disorder (n = 100) who were categorized as perimenopausal using the STRAW and Monash criteria took part in an international online survey. The survey contained questions on history of reproductive health; the clinical course of bipolar disorder; menopausal symptoms (Menopause Rating Scale [MRS]); depression, anxiety, and stress (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21) and the Altman Mania Rating Scale.

RESULTS

MRS sleep problems and hot flash severity were positively correlated with each other and with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Mania scores were not significantly correlated with sleep or hot flash severity scores. A stepwise regression analysis on depression symptoms, using MRS sleep disturbance and MRS hot flash severity scores as predictors with anxiety and stress symptoms in the model, found that stress alone predicted 40% of the variance in total depression scores.

CONCLUSION

Stress plays an important role in the experience of depression for women living with bipolar disorder during the perimenopausal phase. More research is needed to determine if stress management programs may be helpful for women living with bipolar disorder during this time of life and if these in turn, may improve depressive symptoms.

Perimenopause and First-Onset Mood Disorders: A Closer Look

Perimenopause is often a time of social, emotional, and physical change. Various factors contribute to the development of mood disorders during this time. There is a known association among women with previous history of major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder and relapse during the menopausal transition. First-onset mood disorders during this time have been less studied. A literature review in PsycInfo Ovid of records pertaining to first-onset mood disorders during perimenopause showed that this multifactorial process involves hormonal fluctuations, with estrogen being a key player. In addition, vasomotor symptoms, previous negative life events, and socioeconomic status were found to contribute to first-onset mood disorders during perimenopause. Treatment options include established medication regimens for psychiatric conditions; however, hormone therapy also has proven beneficial for this patient population. Further research, particularly on bipolar disorder, is needed to develop a clear association between perimenopause and first-onset mood disorders.

Menopause in women with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder

The transition to menopause, usually occurring between the ages of 40 and 55, is a time when women are particularly vulnerable. When preexisting mental illness is present, symptoms are often amplified during this period. Moreover, women with mental illnesses experience menopausal symptoms similarly to healthy women. In this narrative review we summarize the current data regarding menopause in women with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder, as well as current standards of management and care. The management of chronic disease in women suffering from severe mental illness is also considered.

Narrative Analyses: Cognitive Behavior Group Therapy for Women with Menopause and Bipolar or Major Depressive Disorders

Background: Bipolar and depressive disorders (bipolar disorder [BD], major depressive disorder [MDD]), as well as menopause affect millions of women. Although there are three known cognitive behavioral group treatment (CBGT) protocols to help women with problematic menopause symptoms, they do not target women on the BD or MDD spectrum. The purpose of this qualitative study was to learn more about the treatment needs and group experiences of women with problematic menopause symptoms and diagnosed on the BD and MDD spectrum, who participated in a CBGT intervention for menopausal symptoms. Methods: Narrative data recorded by clinicians (Interventionists' notes) and participants (Evaluation of Groups Survey) were analyzed using content analyses. Results: Several themes emerged from (n = 11 BD; n = 48 MDD) what women wanted help with (specific symptoms and general aspects of menopause), what women liked about CBGT (specific and general aspects of the program), and changes needed in the CBGT intervention (things wished for and barriers that interfered with the program). The two diagnostic groups differed in their responses, although both groups identified content and delivery gaps they wished would be addressed. Specifically related to their diagnosis, women most commonly talked about problems with worsening mood and mood instability and multiple stressors interfering with their ability to follow through with the intervention. Conclusions: These findings can help refine existing CBGT protocols for women diagnosed on the BD and MDD spectrum seeking help for menopause symptoms. Trial Registry: Parent study ClinicalTrials.gov [identifier: NCT02860910].

The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders

OBJECTIVES

To provide advice and guidance regarding the management of mood disorders, derived from scientific evidence and supplemented by expert clinical consensus to formulate s that maximise clinical utility.

METHODS

Articles and information sourced from search engines including PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were supplemented by literature known to the mood disorders committee (e.g. books, book chapters and government reports) and from published depression and bipolar disorder guidelines. Relevant information was appraised and discussed in detail by members of the mood disorders committee, with a view to formulating and developing consensus-based recommendations and clinical guidance. The guidelines were subjected to rigorous consultation and external review involving: expert and clinical advisors, key stakeholders, professional bodies and specialist groups with interest in mood disorders.

RESULTS

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists mood disorders clinical practice guidelines 2020 (MDcpg²⁰²⁰) provide up-to-date guidance regarding the management of mood disorders that is informed by evidence and clinical experience. The guideline is intended for clinical use by psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians and others with an interest in mental health care.

CONCLUSION

The MDcpg²⁰²⁰ builds on the previous 2015 guidelines and maintains its joint focus on both depressive and bipolar disorders. It provides up-to-date recommendations and guidance within an evidence-based framework, supplemented by expert clinical consensus.

MOOD DISORDERS COMMITTEE

Gin S Malhi (Chair), Erica Bell, Darryl Bassett, Philip Boyce, Richard Bryant, Philip Hazell, Malcolm Hopwood, Bill Lyndon, Roger Mulder, Richard Porter, Ajeet B Singh and Greg Murray.

Neuropsychiatric effects of tamoxifen: Challenges and opportunities

Epidemiological, clinical, and basic research over the past thirty years have described the benefits of estrogen on cognition, mood, and brain health. Less is known about tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modifier (SERM) commonly used in breast cancer which is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. In this article, we review the basic pharmacology of tamoxifenas well as its effects on cognition and mood. The literature reveals an overall impairing effect of tamoxifen on cognition in breast cancer patients, hinting at central antiestrogen activity. On the other hand, tamoxifen demonstrates promising effects in psychiatric disorders, like bipolar disorder, where its therapeutic action may be independent of interaction with estrogen receptors. Understanding the neuropsychiatric properties of SERMs like tamoxifen can guide future research to ameliorate unwanted side-effects and provide novel options for difficult to treat disorders.

Quality of life and psychological symptoms for women with bipolar disorder - a comparison between reproductive, menopause transition and post-menopause phases

OBJECTIVE

The menopause transition may be associated with increased symptoms for women living with bipolar disorder; however, few have explored how this compares with other reproductive phases. The aim of this study was to compare women at reproductive, menopause transition and post-menopause phases on measures of quality of life and psychological symptoms associated with bipolar disorder.

STUDY DESIGN

Women with bipolar disorder took part in a large international survey conducted online and were categorised into reproductive stages using the STRAW and Monash criteria. The 498 participants were divided into three groups: 202 (41%) in the reproductive age group, 101 (20%) in the menopause transition group and 195 (39%) in the post-menopause group.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales - 21 (DASS-21), the Altman Mania Rating Scale (ASRM) and the Bipolar Disorder Quality of Life scale (BD-QoL).

RESULTS

BD-QoL scores were significantly lower in the menopause transition group than in the other groups and that group was more likely to report being constantly depressed over the past year than the other groups. Anxiety was significantly higher in the menopause transition and post-menopause groups compared with the reproductive age group.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality of life and depression are impacted by the menopause transition for women with bipolar disorder. However, anxiety may be a clinical issue for women in both the post-menopause and the menopause transition phases. Research is needed to determine how symptoms vary across the reproductive life cycle for women with bipolar disorder and if targeted treatments may assist.

Bipolar Disorder in the Menopausal Transition

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We review recent data on bipolar disorder in menopausal-aged women, particularly in women undergoing the menopausal transition (MT). We discuss evidence on the severity of symptoms in bipolar women during the MT. Moreover, we address two factors in bipolar disorder and menopausal research: standardized menopausal staging and women's conceptualization of their menopausal and bipolar symptoms.

RECENT FINDINGS

While there are few studies within the last 5 years on bipolar women undergoing the MT, new evidence suggest that mood symptoms in women worsen with progression through the MT. Consistent use of the standardized menopausal staging system can facilitate understanding of the timing of worsening symptoms. Moreover, whether women conceptualize their symptoms as arising from their MT or bipolar disorder can influence whether they seek hormonal therapy or psychiatric treatment, respectively. The MT is a potential time for mood instability in vulnerable women, which can manifest as first-onset development of bipolar disorder or increased symptom severity in women with pre-existing bipolar disorder. Adoption of a standardized menopausal staging may offer novel frameworks for understanding of the role of the MT in bipolar disorder.

Management of depressive symptoms in peri- and postmenopausal women: EMAS position statement

INTRODUCTION

Globally, the total number of people with depression exceeds 300 million, and the incidence rate is 70 % greater in women. The perimenopause is considered to be a time of increased risk for the development of depressive symptoms and major depressive episodes.

AIM

The aim of this position statement is to provide a comprehensive model of care for the management of depressive symptoms in perimenopausal and early menopausal women, including diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. The model integrates the care provided by all those involved in the management of mild or moderate depression in midlife women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature review and consensus of expert opinion.

SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS

Awareness of depressive symptoms, early detection, standardized diagnostic procedures, personalized treatment and a suitable follow-up schedule need to be integrated into healthcare systems worldwide. Recommended treatment comprises antidepressants, psychosocial therapies and lifestyle changes. Alternative and complementary therapies, although widely used, may help with depression, but a stronger evidence base is needed. Although not approved for this indication, menopausal hormone therapy may improve depressive symptoms in peri- but not in postmenopausal women, especially in those with vasomotor symptoms.

Sex differences in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder: Are gonadal hormones the link?

In this review, we describe the sex differences in prevalence, onset, symptom profiles, and disease outcome that are evident in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Women with schizophrenia tend to exhibit less disease impairment than men. By contrast, women with post-traumatic stress disorder are more affected than men. The most likely candidates to explain these sex differences are gonadal hormones. This review details the clinical evidence that oestradiol and progesterone are dysregulated in these psychiatric disorders. Notably, existing data on oestradiol, and to a lesser extent, progesterone, suggest that low levels of these hormones may increase the risk of disease development and worsen symptom severity. We argue that future studies require a more inclusive, considered analysis of gonadal steroid hormones and the intricacies of the interactions between them, with methodological rigour applied, to enhance our understanding of the roles of steroid hormones in psychiatric disorders. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on The Importance of Sex Differences in Pharmacology Research. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.21/issuetoc.

Guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of perimenopausal depression: summary and recommendations

There is a new appreciation of the perimenopause - defined as the early and late menopause transition stages as well as the early postmenopause - as a window of vulnerability for the development of both depressive symptoms and major depressive episodes. However, clinical recommendations on how to identify, characterize and treat clinical depression are lacking. To address this gap, an expert panel was convened to systematically review the published literature and develop guidelines on the evaluation and management of perimenopausal depression. The areas addressed included: 1) epidemiology; 2) clinical presentation; 3) therapeutic effects of antidepressants; 4) effects of hormone therapy; and 5) efficacy of other therapies (eg, psychotherapy, exercise, and natural health products). Overall, evidence generally suggests that most midlife women who experience a major depressive episode during the perimenopause have experienced a prior episode of depression. Midlife depression presents with classic depressive symptoms commonly in combination with menopause symptoms (ie, vasomotor symptoms, sleep disturbance), and psychosocial challenges. Menopause symptoms complicate, co-occur, and overlap with the presentation of depression. Diagnosis involves identification of menopausal stage, assessment of co-occurring psychiatric and menopause symptoms, appreciation of the psychosocial factors common in midlife, differential diagnoses, and the use of validated screening instruments. Proven therapeutic options for depression (ie, antidepressants, psychotherapy) are the front-line treatments for perimenopausal depression. Although estrogen therapy is not approved to treat perimenopausal depression, there is evidence that it has antidepressant effects in perimenopausal women, particularly those with concomitant vasomotor symptoms. Data on estrogen plus progestin are sparse and inconclusive.

"Is it menopause or bipolar?": a qualitative study of the experience of menopause for women with bipolar disorder

Background

Menopause can be a time of change for women and may be marked by disturbances in mood. For women living with a mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, little is known about how they experience mood changes during menopause. This study aimed to explore how women with bipolar disorder constructed mood changes during menopause and how this impacted on treatment decisions.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with fifteen women who reported they had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Data was analysed using thematic analysis guided by a social constructionist framework.

Results

Themes identified included ‘Constructions of mood change: menopause or bipolar disorder?’,‘ Life events, bipolar disorder and menopause coming together’; ‘Treatment choices for mood change during menopause’.

Conclusions

The accounts suggested that women related to the experience of mood changes during menopause through the lens of their existing framework of bipolar disorder, with implications for understanding of self and treatment choices.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12905-017-0467-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Menopause and illness course in bipolar disorder: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Menopause may be a time of increased mood symptoms for some women. This systematic review aimed to examine the severity of symptoms and prevalence of mood changes in women with bipolar disorder during peri-menopause and post-menopause.

METHODS

A systematic review was undertaken in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The two primary outcomes assessed were relapse rates and symptom severity during menopause. Databases searched were MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychInfo, CINAHL and SCOPUS from January 1980 until December 2016.

RESULTS

Nine studies, including a total of 273 participants diagnosed with bipolar disorder and who reported menopause, were included in the narrative synthesis. Menopause was reported to be associated with increased symptoms overall, and with depression in particular (range of 46%-91%). The collection of self-reported retrospective data was the most commonly used method to record menopause status.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of menopause on illness course for women with bipolar disorder is largely under-explored. Preliminary evidence suggests that it may be associated with increased bipolar symptoms. Further work is needed to explore how menopause may interact with bipolar disorder over time and the nature of these symptom changes, and if and how menopause may differ from other reproductive stages.

Clinical characteristics of women with reproductive cycle-associated bipolar disorder symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Although there is clear evidence that reproductive cycle events are associated with mood episodes for women with bipolar disorder, few studies have examined for relationships between these and specific clinical characteristics of the disorder. This study aimed to explore the relationship between mood symptoms associated with reproductive cycle events and features of the disorder indicative of a more severe lifetime course.

METHOD

Totally, 158 women of at least 18 years of age participated in the study. Subjects were recruited through a specialist clinic at the Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia.

RESULTS

In total, 77% of women reported increases in mood symptoms during perimenstrual, postnatal or menopausal periods. These women had an earlier age of onset for depressive and hypo/manic episodes and a greater likelihood of comorbid anxiety disorders, rapid cycling and mixed mood compared to those who did not report such reproductive cycle-associated mood changes. Women who experienced postnatal episodes were also more likely to experience worse mood symptoms perimenstrually and menopausally.

CONCLUSION

First, reproductive cycle event-related worsening of mood was associated with a more severe lifetime course of bipolar disorder, and, second, it appears that some women have a greater propensity to mood worsening at each of these reproductive cycle events. If replicated, these findings provide important information for clinicians treating women with reproductive cycle event mood changes and highlight the need for improved therapeutics for such presentations.

Evaluation and Management of Behavioral Health Disorders in Women: An Overview of Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, and Sleep in the Primary Care Setting

Providers of obstetric and gynecologic care are often the most commonly seen medical providers for adult women, providing primary and reproductive care. Even where psychiatric care is readily available, obstetricians/gynecologists are frequently the front line for recognition, education, and initial management of many mental health problems. In settings where psychiatric treatment is a more scarce resource, obstetricians/gynecologists often are responsible for ongoing treatment of these disorders. This review focuses on the impact of the female reproductive life cycle on the presentation and management of some of the most common behavioral health problems in women: major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and primary sleep disorders.