Randomised trial, 2001
Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders?
The authors propose that reproductive hormones may disrupt the body's internal clock in susceptible women, but this is a theory not yet proven. Women have twice the rate of depression as men.
What they did
A review of scientific evidence on biological rhythm disturbances in female-specific mood disorders including PMDD, postpartum depression, and menopause. The authors describe the connection between changing reproductive hormones and circadian rhythm disruption.
What they found
Women are prone to develop depression during times of hormonal change: at puberty, with oral contraceptive use, during the premenstrual phase, postpartum, and during perimenopause. Women have twice the incidence of major depression compared with men.
What it means for you
This is a theory that needs more research to prove. It suggests that if your body's internal clock gets disrupted by hormone changes, you may be more likely to develop mood symptoms. The theory applies to women with female-specific mood disorders.
2
Times higher rate of depression in women than men
5
Hormonal life stages associated with mood disorders
About the study
- Original title
- Chronobiological basis of female-specific mood disorders
- Authors
- Parry BL, Newton RP
- Journal
- Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
- Year
- 2001
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- None, theory and review paper
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0893-133x(01)00340-2
Topics
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