Menopause is a transition that women undergo in the mid-stages of life which involves the slow process of menstrual cycle cessation, which in turn, triggers various physiological changes in the body such as vascular instability, atrophy of the urogenital tract, bone and skin diseases as well as soft tissue disorders. The menopausal phase also includes other common symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, a myriad of nonspecific emotional and psychological distresses, decreased sexual functioning and libido. The menopausal common key symptoms can be categorized in four areas depending on nature, i.e. psychosocial, physical, vasomotor, and sexual. In the menopausal phase, women have higher levels of depression and anxiety, hormonal changes are linked with increased mood swings, which have been strongly associated with the deprivation of estrogens in females after menopause. The quality of life (QoL) of women is highly influenced during menopause as it is a major biological change in one’s life, and can produce physical as well as emotional changes in females.
Along with physiological changes, women during the post-menopausal phase have a greater risk of developing depression, anxiety, and other cardiovascular diseases therefore adoption of a healthy lifestyle and proper management of co-morbidities among post-menopausal women is of prime importance. The changes associated with menopausal women are highly linked with the development of other non-communicable diseases, e.g. hypertension, diabetes, breast and cervical cancer, and osteoporosis. Several physiological and social evolutions happening during female mid-life may intensify the risk of depressive disorders. These changes increase the incidence of menopausal complaints, which result in higher rates of depression among females. Depressive condition and mood have a negative effect that impairs the quality of life, sleep, sexual function, resilience, and life satisfaction of mid-aged women. Women in developing countries such as Pakistan lack basic knowledge about the physiology of menopause and its signs and symptoms and they tend to avoid discussion about it or seek medical help. This behavior may result in reduced QoL as well as enhanced chances of developing depression among postmenopausal women in Pakistan.