---
title: How are hormones related to depression in women? | Niyora
description: Depression in women is caused by hormonal changes at certain times: before periods, after birth, and around menopause. These can be effectively treated with m
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/personal-view-hormones-and-depression-in-women-2015/
---

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- How are hormones related to depression in women?

Study, 2015

# How are hormones related to depression in women?

Depression in women is caused by hormonal changes at certain times: before periods, after birth, and around menopause. These can be effectively treated with medications or procedures that change hormone levels, especially transdermal estrogens.

 Early or limited evidence

Women experiencing depression related to hormonal changes

## What they did

The author reviews how hormonal fluctuations cause depression in women and examines treatment approaches including hormonal therapies.

## What they found

Hormonal fluctuations cause depression at three key times: before periods, after birth, and around menopause. Severe premenstrual depression responds to ovulation suppression using transdermal estrogens or GnRH analogs. Transdermal estrogens also help depression after birth, especially in women with a history of premenstrual depression. Transdermal testosterone gel helps with loss of energy and loss of libido. The Mirena IUS and surgical removal of the womb and ovaries can help women who cannot tolerate progestogens.

## What it means for you

Hormonal changes directly cause certain depressions in women, which means hormonal treatments may work better than standard antidepressants alone. The main limitation is that this discusses treatment approaches based on clinical experience rather than testing treatments in research studies.

## About the study

Original title Personal view: Hormones and depression in women Authors Studd J Journal Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society Year 2015 Study design Study What was tested Hormonal treatments including transdermal estrogens, GnRH analogs, testosterone, and surgical options Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2014.918595](https://doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2014.918595)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Reproductive hormone sensitivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-hormone-sensitivity/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Surgical menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-surgery/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Review, 2012

Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?

Non-randomised trial, 2014

Does hormone therapy help women with depression linked to periods and menopause?

Case report, 2012

How can doctors tell the difference between severe PMS and bipolar disorder?

Review, 2018

What are the most effective treatments for premenstrual syndrome and PMDD?

Survey study, 2011

Is premenstrual syndrome related to major depression?

Review, 2004

What is PMDD and how is it treated?

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