Menopausal women who experienced an early onset of vasomotor symptoms (VMSs), commonly known as hot flashes and night sweats, are at a higher risk of developing depressive symptoms, according to a study by Korean researchers.

Professors Ryu Seung-ho, Chang Yoo-soo, and Dr. Choi Hye-rin at the Center for Cohort Studies, Total Healthcare Center, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, conducted an analysis of 2,832 premenopausal women aged 42 to 52 who visited the hospital between 2014 and 2018, with a median follow-up of 6.1 years, as reported by Kangbuk Samsung Hospital.

The research team assessed VMSs through questionnaires, defining moderate or severe VMSs as those reported by participants who experienced symptoms and felt at least 3 points of distress on a scale of 1 to 7. Depressive symptoms were measured using questionnaires to evaluate levels of depression over the past week, with a total score of 16 or higher out of 60 considered clinically relevant depressive symptoms.

The researchers subsequently tracked the group without depressive symptoms for six years. Results indicated that women with VMSs had a roughly 72 percent higher risk of developing depressive symptoms compared to those without VMSs.

In particular, women with moderate VMSs of 3 or more points faced up to an 83 percent increased risk of developing depressive symptoms compared to women without VMSs.

"Menopausal women experience VMSs due to the imbalance of female hormones, and those who undergo severe menopausal symptoms before menopause may be more vulnerable to depressive symptoms owing to the hormonal imbalance," said Professor Ryu.

"It is important to conduct mental health screenings and provide appropriate support to middle-aged women who experience early-onset VMSs,” the study concluded.

This study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, received support from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) National Institutes of Health (NIH)'s prospective study to identify risk factors for chronic disease in menopausal women.