The occurrence of depression in women with psoriasis in the perimenopausal period and the need for support – a review
Marta Makara‑Studzińska1, Magdalena Lewicka2, Magdalena Sulima2, Daniel Pietrzak3, Andrzej Borzęcki4

Hormonal disorders in perimenopausal period can affect the mental state of women and psoriasis. The biological cause of psychiatric symptoms in perimenopause is oestrogen deficiency. The decrease in oestrogen level in this period causes depressed mood, anxiety, sleep problems, bad mood, memory problems and general irritability. The most common psychiatric disorder occurring in women in perimenopausal period is depression. It refers to nearly 50% of patients. The reduction in oestrogen levels also affects the skin, causing the occurrence of adverse changes in both the healthy and the affected skin, including worsening of psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the skin, not directly threatening the life of those affected, but the disease significantly impacts the patients’ quality of life, which may contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders, including depression. Depression, as compared to psoriasis, may have a dual approach – primary or secondary, in addition both diseases may mutually modulate its course, precede the onset of symptoms, induce further relapses and exacerbations. There is a need to assess the severity of depression among women with psoriasis in perimenopausal period in order to undertake an early psychotherapeutic action. Offering support to women suffering from psoriasis in the period around menopause may help to reduce depression and improve the perceived quality of life.