The Relationship Between Menopausal Status and Depression in U.S. Women: Insights from the NHANES 2017-March 2020...

This study harnessed cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-March 2020 to examine the relationship between menopausal status and depression among U.S. women.

Data from NHANES 2017-March 2020 were used for this cross-sectional analysis. Robust statistical approaches, including univariate and multivariate logistic regression, were applied, and subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the stability of the findings.

Women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and early menopause showed a higher likelihood of depression compared with non-menopausal women (POI: odds ratio (OR) = 1.59, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.07-2.35; Early menopause: OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.06-2.76). Among these groups, women whose age at last delivery was under 35 years demonstrated an ever greater vulnerability to depression (POI: OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.07-2.43; Early menopause: OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.11-3.02). In postmenopausal women, moderate-intensity activity (≥150 minutes per week) was associated with increased odds of depressive symptoms (Overall moderate-to-vigorous physical activity: OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.08-3.34; moderate-to-vigorous recreational activity: OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.06-4.44). This association was not statistically significant among postmenopausal women engaging in insufficient moderate-intensity physical activity.

These findings support a significant association between POI and early menopause and depression in U.S. women, particularly among those whose age at last delivery was below 35 years.