Author(s):Dr. Aiman Maqbool, Dr. Palli Sudhir Babu, Dr. S. Bhanurekha

Received: June 25, 2026 | Accepted: July 15, 2026 | Published: July 23, 2026

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The menopause is a huge physiological change that millions of women experience in their lives. Although some physical changes are well known, such as hot flashes, the psychological effects of the menopausal transition have not been widely diagnosed or treated. The aim for this study was to understand the prevalence rate of depression and anxiety among perimenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal women and the effect that depression and anxiety had on quality of life.
OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence of depression and anxiety in women in the menopausal transition and to assess the psychological symptom profile and quality of life through the use of standardized assessment scales.
METHODS: This was a prospective observational study done over a period of three months in Gynaecology Out-Patient Department of SVS Medical College and Hospital, Mahabubnagar. Overall 350 women aged 40-60 years were enrolled. The questionnaires used for assessment were the Menopausal Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety.
RESULTS: Mental health problems were found to be prevalent with 34% of the women having depression symptoms and 42% having anxiety symptoms. There were twenty-five women (7%) who presented with both conditions (comorbid). Psychological symptoms associated with the illness were poor memory (61%), irritability (58%), fatigue (55%), social withdrawal (44%) and decreased productivity (48%). The overall quality of life was poor for 67% of participants, 73% of whom had hot flashes and 67% reported sleep disturbances.
CONCLUSIONS: Depression and anxiety are extremely common mental health symptoms of the menopausal transition and are associated with decreased quality of life and functioning. The timely detection by routine mental health screening and evidence-based treatment, including medication management, counseling, and lifestyle adjustments, is critical. Mental health evaluation should be considered a necessary part of menopausal treatment.

Keywords: menopause, depression, anxiety, mental health, quality of life, PHQ-9, GAD-7, MENQOL.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21503419

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