Review, 2011
Can estrogen hormones treat depression linked to the menstrual cycle?
Yes, transdermal estrogen can treat depression linked to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause by suppressing cyclical hormone changes. The challenge is balancing multiple hormones and managing progestogen side effects.
What they did
This was a review of treating cyclical depression: premenstrual, postnatal, and menopause-related. The author discusses how to balance estrogen, testosterone, and progestogen.
What they found
Transdermal estrogen suppresses ovulation and the cyclical hormone changes that cause premenstrual depression. It also improves mood in postnatal and menopause-related depression. Testosterone can improve mood, energy, and desire. Progestogen is often poorly tolerated and should be used at the lowest dose for the shortest duration needed.
What it means for you
Hormone therapy can treat depression linked to menstrual cycles, but finding the right balance is complex. Women are sometimes misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder when they actually have hormone-related depression. This is a review for doctors, so it summarizes evidence rather than presenting new research.
About the study
- Original title
- A guide to the treatment of depression in women by estrogens
- Authors
- Studd JW
- Journal
- Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society
- Year
- 2011
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Transdermal estrogen, testosterone, and progestogen
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2011.609285
Topics
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