---
title: Can estrogen treat depression linked to hormonal changes? | Niyora
description: Estrogen affects mood through brain chemistry, but there is not enough evidence to recommend it as a main treatment. SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) remain t
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/estrogen-and-mood-in-women-2005/
---

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- Can estrogen treat depression linked to hormonal changes?

Randomised trial, 2005

# Can estrogen treat depression linked to hormonal changes?

Estrogen affects mood through brain chemistry, but there is not enough evidence to recommend it as a main treatment. SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) remain the standard choice.

 Early or limited evidence

Review of research on women with depression linked to reproductive events

## What they did

This is a review of research from neuroscience and clinical trials about estrogen's effects on mood and its potential use for depression linked to hormonal changes (during the premenstrual phase, after childbirth, and around perimenopause).

## What they found

Estrogen strengthens the serotonin system in the brain, which is involved in depression. Some randomized controlled trials found estrogen better than placebo for depression in perimenopausal women, but it only improved mood symptoms, not the full depressive syndrome. Using estrogen alongside antidepressants is promising but needs more research.

## What it means for you

While estrogen clearly affects mood, we do not have enough evidence yet to recommend it as a first-line treatment for depression linked to hormonal changes. Antidepressants and psychotherapy remain the standard treatments. The main limit is that this is a review of existing evidence, not a new study.

## About the study

Original title Estrogen and Mood in Women Authors Barbara B. Sherwin Journal The Endocrinologist Year 2005 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Estrogen treatment (in reviewed studies) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/01.ten.0000162373.22576.7d](https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ten.0000162373.22576.7d)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[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?

Survey study, 2002

What treatments work for depression linked to the menstrual cycle and PMDD?

Guideline, 2001

What is the best treatment for PMDD and depression in women?

Review, 2010

Does the menstrual cycle make mental and physical health problems worse?

Study, 2004

Did SSRIs change what people thought of as depression in women?

Randomised trial, 2001

Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders?

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