Women’s Mental Health

Women’s Mental Health at a Glance

All women and girls face these unique challenges, but there are even more disparities when we focus on women from historically marginalized communities. These women are less likely to receive mental health treatment due to factors such as access to culturally competent providers, stigma, and issues with insurance or cost. It has been found that Black individuals are more likely to be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia than bipolar, this is just one illustration of the lack of culturally competent care available in the mental health space. Women from historically marginalized communities may have a distrust of providers due to the history of medical racism in the United States.

Women face a unique set of challenges with mood disorders as we consider the diagnoses of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and postpartum depression. These conditions related to women’s menstrual and birthing abilities can be highly stigmatized and hard to deal with.

Caregiving also brings a unique set of stressors to women. Women are more likely to be unpaid for caregiving work which adds an additional layer of complication for women who are managing the caregiving responsibilities for children and elders, while also attending to their own role in the workforce. Caregiving can lead to financial strain and social isolation for women.

Attending to the unique needs of women’s mental health ought to be a top priority for providers and policymakers. Women are more likely to be tasked with the healthcare decisions for their whole families. It is so important that we continue to research, support, and meet women where they are in terms of their mental health needs.

Here are some key statistics related to mood disorders in women, which highlight the prevalence and impact of conditions like depression and bipolar disorder:

Depression in Women:

Higher Prevalence in Women:

• Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 10.5% of women in the U.S. experienced a major depressive episode in 2020, compared to 6.2% of men (NIMH, 2020).

Adolescents:

• • In 2020, 25.2% of adolescent girls in the U.S. experienced depression, compared to 9.2% of boys (NIMH, 2020).

Suicide Risk:

• While men are more likely to die by suicide, women are 1.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than men (CDC, 2021).
• The CDC also reported in 2021 that nearly 1 in 3 high school girls considered suicide, which represents a nearly 60% increase over the last decade (CDC, 2021).

Bipolar Disorder in Women:

Bipolar Disorder:

• Bipolar disorder affects approximately 2.8% of adults in the U.S. annually, with similar rates in men and women, but women may experience more depressive episodes and fewer manic episodes compared to men (NIMH, 2020).
• Women with bipolar disorder are also more likely to experience rapid cycling (frequent mood swings) and mixed episodes (where both depressive and manic symptoms occur simultaneously) than men (American Psychiatric Association, 2020).

Hormonal Influence:

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD):

• PMDD affects 3-8% of women of reproductive age, characterized by severe mood disturbances, irritability, and depression in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (American Psychiatric Association, 2020).

Postpartum Depression:

• Approximately 10-15% of women experience postpartum depression following childbirth, which can severely impact a woman’s ability to care for herself and her baby (National Institute of Mental Health, 2020).

Hormonal Changes and Mood Disorders:

• The relationship between estrogen fluctuations and mood regulation has been well-documented in scientific literature. According to a study published by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), fluctuations in estrogen during perimenopause can affect neurotransmitters like serotonin, which play a role in mood regulation. (Source: NIMH, 2020, “Mental Health and Perimenopause”).

Increased Risk of Depression and Anxiety:

• The American Psychological Association (APA) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) have both reported that women experience higher rates of depression and anxiety during perimenopause due to hormonal changes. (Source: APA, 2021, “Women’s Mental Health During the Menopause Transition”).

Perimenopause and Mania:

• A 2024 study published in The Times found that women are at a higher risk of developing mania and major depressive episodes during perimenopause, with a 112% increase in mania cases observed during the four years following the last menstruation. (Source: The Times, September 2024, “Perimenopause Linked to Mania and Depression in New Study”).

Sleep Disturbances and Mood:

• The Mayo Clinic reports that sleep disturbances such as hot flashes and night sweats commonly occur during perimenopause and can worsen mood disturbances like irritability and fatigue. (Source: Mayo Clinic, 2021, “Perimenopause Symptoms”).

Psychological and Social Stressors:

• A study in the Journal of Women’s Health (2020) found that social and psychological stressors during perimenopause—such as aging, relationship changes, and caregiving responsibilities—can contribute to the development of mood disorders. (Source: Journal of Women’s Health, 2020, “The Psychological Impact of Perimenopause”).

Barriers to Treatment:

• Women from historically marginalized communities face even greater barriers to mental health care, such as lack of access to culturally competent care, stigma, and financial constraints, all of which contribute to lower rates of diagnosis and treatment for mood disorders (American Psychological Association, 2020).

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References:

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2020). Major Depression. Retrieved from NIMH website
• American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2020). Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved from APA website
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Retrieved from CDC website