Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Cohen, L. S. Articles by Shifren, J. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Cohen, L. S. Articles by Shifren, J. L. Neuroendocrinology Depression Other Somatic Therapy

Short-Term Use of Estradiol for Depression in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women: A Preliminary Report

OBJECTIVE: The authors examined the effect of a 4-week course of estrogen therapy on depression in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. METHOD: Twenty-two depressed women who were either perimenopausal (N=10) or postmenopausal (N=12) received open-label treatment with transdermal 17ß-estradiol (100 µg/day) for 4 weeks. The Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory were used to assess depressive symptoms, the Greene Climacteric Scale was used to assess menopause-related symptoms, and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) was used to assess global clinical improvement in these women at baseline and after treatment. Remission of depression was defined as a score <10 on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and a score 2 on the CGI at week 4. RESULTS: Remission of depression was noted in eight of the 20 women who completed the study; two of these women were postmenopausal, and six were perimenopausal. Antidepressant response was not associated with severity or subtypes of depression at study entry or with concomitant improvement in menopause-related symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Some perimenopausal women with depression may benefit from short-term use of estrogen therapy, and its role for postmenopausal depressed women warrants further investigation. Antidepressant benefit associated with estrogen therapy may be independent of improvement in physical symptoms.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. W. Freeman, M. D. Sammel, H. Lin, and D. B. Nelson Associations of hormones and menopausal status with depressed mood in women with no history of depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry, April 1, 2006; 63(4): 375 - 382. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. K. Burt, M. M. Wohlreich, C. H. Mallinckrodt, M. J. Detke, J. G. Watkin, and D. E. Stewart Duloxetine for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in Women Ages 40 to 55 Years Psychosomatics, August 1, 2005; 46(4): 345 - 354. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. S. McIntyre, J. Z. Konarski, S. Grigoriadis, N. C. Fan, D. A. Mancini, K. A. Fulton, D. E. Stewart, and S. H. Kennedy Hormone replacement therapy and antidepressant prescription patterns: a reciprocal relationship Can. Med. Assoc. J., January 4, 2005; 172(1): 57 - 59. [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. E. Stewart, D. E. Rolfe, and E. Robertson Depression, Estrogen, and the Women's Health Initiative Psychosomatics, October 1, 2004; 45(5): 445 - 447. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Estrogen for Perimenopausal Depression? Journal Watch Psychiatry, November 20, 2003; 2003(1120): 13 - 13. [Full Text]

				Estrogen for Perimenopausal Depression? Journal Watch Women's Health, October 8, 2003; 2003(1008): 6 - 6. [Full Text]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2003 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us