Non-randomised trial, 2014
Does hormone therapy help women with depression linked to periods and menopause?
Yes. Thirty-five percent reported being cured and 55 percent had considerable improvement. For 94 percent, hormone therapy was life-changing for the better, and none reported worsening.
What they did
238 women from a PMS and Menopause Centre completed an email survey. Their main symptom was depression. All received transdermal estrogen. Ninety-three percent also received transdermal testosterone. Of those with a uterus, 171 also received cyclical progestogen. Their treatment outcomes and depression histories were recorded.
What they found
Most women had severe or moderate depression, a history of PMS as teenagers, no depression during pregnancy but depression after birth. With hormone therapy, 35 percent reported being cured, 55 percent had considerable improvement, and only 3.7 percent had no improvement. Thirty-eight women who had hysterectomy and removal of both ovaries reported the procedure was life-changing for the better. Sixty-three percent of those on progestogen developed PMS-type symptoms during progestogen days.
What it means for you
Hormone therapy appears helpful for depression linked to periods and menopause. However, this is a survey of women who chose to attend a specialized centre, with no control group. We cannot be certain the improvement was caused by the therapy alone.
238
women surveyed
35%
reported being cured
55%
had considerable improvement
About the study
- Original title
- Hormone therapy for reproductive depression in women
- Authors
- Studd J
- Journal
- Post reproductive health
- Year
- 2014
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 238
- What was tested
- Transdermal estrogen and testosterone, with cyclical progestogen for some
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1177/2053369114557883
Topics
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