Much attention is paid to the physical changes women go through as they age. But, Cleveland Clinic Wellness reports, now more medical researchers are looking at the impact of aging on women’s mental health as well:

Women going through perimenopause, the time before menopause when hormones are declining, may be particularly vulnerable to depression, according to a new report. For many women, midlife is filled with changes and challenges, both internally and externally. While dealing with symptoms like hot flashes and sleep problems, many women are also feeling the pressures of raising children or having them leave home, caring for aging parents, managing intense career demands, or all of the above. For women who’ve had low-level depression, perimenopause can worsen symptoms, and first-time depression or a recurrence of major depression are common, too.

The clinic recommends women contact their physician or therapist if they notice a change in mood for the worse. There are a number of possible remedies, but you’re not stuck feeling blue!