Series overview and introduction

Studies and treatments for the symptomatic menopausal woman have been reviewed elsewhere. The aim of this clinical review series is to examine the evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of the woman who presents with distressing symptoms that she attributes to menopause, whose actual etiology may be a psychiatric disorder, a pre- or co-existing problem such as sleep or cognitive problems, or a dynamic interaction among one of these and a symptomatic menopause. This series of articles will review new research on somatic symptoms of depression, the depression continuum and its impact on morbidity and functioning, treatment issues related to remission of depression, cognitive decline or impairment secondary to a mood disorder, sleep problems in women and their impact on well-being and functioning, and attention and working memory problems in women. These will all be reviewed in the context of the vulnerable female patient and her experience of increased or new distressing symptoms during her menopausal transition. Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of women with psychiatric comorbidity and a symptomatic menopause are discussed.