Non-randomised trial, 2004
Do women with depression have abnormal hormone rhythms across the menstrual cycle?
Both healthy women and women with depression showed clear daily hormone rhythms that changed with cycle phase, with no significant differences between groups. However, depressed women had higher overall estradiol levels.
What they did
Researchers measured estradiol and cortisol in saliva samples every 2 hours for 24 hours, four times during one menstrual cycle. They studied 15 healthy women and 12 women with major depression (7 of whom took Fluoxetine) and analyzed the daily rhythm patterns.
What they found
Both groups showed distinct daily rhythms in both hormones. Cortisol peak-width and amplitude varied by cycle phase in both groups but did not differ between groups. Estradiol rhythms were consistent across cycle phases, but depressed patients had larger overall amplitudes than controls, negatively correlated with depression duration.
What it means for you
This very small study of women already on treatment suggests connections between the stress hormone system and reproductive hormone system in depression. However, the sample is very limited and women were on antidepressants, so results may not reflect untreated depression. Clinical significance is unclear.
15
Healthy women
12
Women with depression
4
Times measured during menstrual cycle
About the study
- Original title
- Diurnal rhythms of free estradiol and cortisol during the normal menstrual cycle in women with major depression
- Authors
- Bao AM, Ji YF, Van Someren EJ et al.
- Journal
- Hormones and behavior
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 7
- What was tested
- No intervention; hormones measured in women with and without depression who may have been taking medication.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2003.09.004
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2022
What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated?
Review, 1999
Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder a distinct clinical disorder?
Non-randomised trial, 2024
Does luteal phase sertraline treatment affect stress hormones and inflammation in PMDD?
Survey study, 2003
Do hormone levels change during the menstrual cycle in women with depression?
Randomised trial, 2025
Does taking an antidepressant only during the second half of your cycle reduce anger and aggression in PMDD?
Randomised trial, 2000
Does sertraline improve how women with PMDD feel and function?