Menopausal depression is not being effectively treated, women and doctors say

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Jo Caminiti felt like she got her life back when she started menopausal hormone therapy. (Supplied: Jo Caminiti)

 

(Mary Lloyd/ ABC News) — For ten years, Jo Caminiti suffered a range of symptoms she could not get diagnosed.

Her joints ached. She was constantly stiff. Exhaustion followed her everywhere. Her sleep was interrupted.

But worst of all, her mood was low; very low.

It happened gradually until she felt she had no option but to take long-service leave from her job as a scientist.

“I really needed to take a break and just try and figure out what the heck was going on,” she said.

She discussed her symptoms with her doctor and spoke to a counsellor about her despondency.

Psychiatrist Jayashri Kulkarni said menopause was mostly recognised for its physical symptoms and the psychological effects were being neglected.

“The biggest thing that many, many women experience that really alters their quality of life is depression,” she said. (…)

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