Perimenopause is a physiological process and an important transitional phase towards menopause. It typically occurs between the age of 45 years to 55 years marking the end of reproductive years. With the underlying hormonal fluctuations, perimenopause usually leads to depression which is one of the most serious mental illnesses leading to perimenopausal depression.
Although perimenopausal depression is common in developing countries, it is under-recognized in low and middle-income countries, making a substantial contribution to maternal morbidity and mortality. It leads to poor quality of life, that seriously affects the Society as a whole.
In Alexandria, about 49.3% of perimenopausal women had at least one episode of depression.
AIM OF THE WORK:
To evaluate the prevalence perimenopausal depression and estimate its impact on the Quality of life among Egyptian women in Alexandria governorate.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
This study was conducted on 350 divided as 133 pre and 217 perimenopausal women respectively attending the Gynecological outpatient clinic in El-Shatby Maternity Hospital from June 2022 till June 2023. Women with previous psychiatric illnesses, women with artificial menopause, or on hormonal or psychiatric medications, and illiterate ones were excluded.