Case-control study, 2006
Are hormone-related chemicals different in women with mood disorders during the menstrual cycle?
Women with bipolar disorder and major depression had higher levels of progesterone and a related chemical (3alpha,5alpha-THPROG) during the luteal phase compared to healthy women. This difference was present whether or not they were taking medication.
What they did
Case-control study measuring blood steroid (hormone-like chemical) levels during the luteal phase in 17 women with bipolar disorder, 14 women with major depression, and 16 healthy controls. All patients were stable without recent mood episodes.
What they found
Progesterone and 3alpha,5alpha-THPROG levels were significantly higher in women with bipolar disorder and major depression than in controls, with bipolar disorder patients having the highest levels. These differences were not explained by medication use or other psychiatric conditions.
What it means for you
Women with mood disorders may process reproductive hormones differently during their menstrual cycle, even when their symptoms are well controlled. Limitations include small sample size and measurements only during one phase of the cycle.
17
women with bipolar disorder
14
women with major depression
16
control women
About the study
- Original title
- Increased neuroactive steroid concentrations in women with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder
- Authors
- Hardoy MC, Serra M, Carta MG et al.
- Journal
- Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 16
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/01.jcp.0000229483.52955.ec
Topics
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