I am 49 and have just entered menopause. I feel “down” and sad all the time. Is this related to menopause?

Unfortunately, yes. A variety of mood changes occur during menopause. Depression of varying intensity does occur in more than 60% of women who enter menopause. 

Even healthy women who otherwise never had a mental problem develop some type of mood disturbance during this time period. In most cases, the depressive episodes are mild and temporary. However, in some cases the depression can be severe and require treatment. 

The best advice for you is to see your doctor and get a referral to a psychiatrist. The treatment depends on the severity of your depression. Fortunately depression which starts a menopause usually subsides in a few months to years.