---
title: Why do some women need very high hormone levels from implants?
description: Women needing very high estrogen levels from hormone implants often have a history of depression or surgical menopause. This suggests they may require higher
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/hormone-implants-and-tachyphylaxis-1990/
---

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- Why do some women need very high hormone levels from implants?

Survey study, 1990

# Why do some women need very high hormone levels from implants?

Women needing very high estrogen levels from hormone implants often have a history of depression or surgical menopause. This suggests they may require higher hormone levels to control their symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

1388 women treated with hormone implants at menopause clinic

## What they did

Researchers reviewed hormone implant records from 1388 women treated at a menopause clinic in 1988.

## What they found

38 women had estrogen levels above 1750 pmol/l. Of these, 23 were treated for menopausal symptoms and 15 for PMS. Among the 23 menopausal women, 11 had been referred for depression and 9 had undergone surgical menopause. Among the 15 women with PMS, 9 had been referred for depression.

## What it means for you

Women who develop very high estrogen levels are more likely to have a psychiatric history or surgical menopause. This might explain why they need higher hormone doses, though the study does not prove that high levels caused the psychiatric issues.

38

women with estrogen above 1750 pmol/l

3%

proportion with very high estrogen levels

9 of 15

PMS women with psychiatric referral for depression

## About the study

Original title Hormone implants and tachyphylaxis Authors Garnett T, Studd JW, Henderson A et al. Journal British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Year 1990 Study design Survey study Participants 1,388 What was tested Hormone implant therapy Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1990.tb02447.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1990.tb02447.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Surgical menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-surgery/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)

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