[Use of estrogens in the treatment of mental disorders].

Abstract

The relationship between female sex steroids and mental disorders was not thoroughly studied until the last decades. However, in recent years, many studies have appeared that evaluate the influence of estrogens on the onset, outcome and treatment of mental disorders. Although the data are still preliminary, it could be concluded that the estrogens can be useful in the treatment of postpartum depression and menopause related depression, especially if surgically induced. There is still no support for the usefulness of estrogen treatment in non-reproductive related mood disorders. Regarding its utility in schizophrenia, several studies have considered the possibility of adding estrogen treatment in the cases in which patients with schizophrenia experience a worsening of their symptoms clearly related with the fluctuations of the hormonal levels during the menstrual cycle or in patients with resistant forms of the illness. Furthermore, hormone replacement therapy could be useful in some postmenopausal schizophrenic women.

• Authors: J Usall i Rodié
• Journal: Actas espanolas de psiquiatria (Actas Esp Psiquiatr) 2003 Jul-Aug Vol. 31 Issue 4 Pg. 199-204 ISSN: 1139-9287 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: El uso de los estrógenos en el tratamiento de los trastornos mentales.
• PMID: 12838443 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Estrogens

Topics

• Adult
• Depression, Postpartum (drug therapy)
• Depressive Disorder, Major (drug therapy)
• Estrogens (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Menopause (psychology)
• Mental Disorders (drug therapy)
• Middle Aged
• Schizophrenia (drug therapy)