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Reproductive Depression and the Response to Hormone Therapy

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Sex Steroids' Effects on Brain, Heart and Vessels

Part of the book series: ISGE Series ((ISGE))

Abstract

Many cases of depression in women are due to endocrine factors and inappropriate treatment by antidepressants or mood-stabilizing drugs such as lithium. The syndrome reproductive depression includes premenstrual depression (PMDD), postnatal depression (PND) and climacteric depression which is more severe in the transitional phase 2 or 3 years before the periods cease rather than in the years after the menopause. Such patients are usually free of depression during pregnancy. The diagnosis cannot be made by measuring hormone levels but by a careful history relating depression to monthly cycles and the postnatal state. The range and aetiology of depression in women is different than in men and cannot be understood without knowledge of the effect that oestrogen, progesterone and androgens have upon mood. These frequent problems are usually treated badly by psychiatrists who have little knowledge and less interest in the effect of hormones on mood. Treatment should be by oestrogens preferably by the transdermal route possibly with the addition of testosterone and if necessary the addition of progesterone to protect the endometrium.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. London PMS and Menopause Centre, London, UK

    John W. Studd

  2. King’s College Hospital, London, UK

    Mike Savvas

  3. Hillingdon Hospital, Middlesex, UK

    Neale Watson

Authors
  1. John W. Studd
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  2. Mike Savvas
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  3. Neale Watson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to John W. Studd .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Innovation in Brain Sciencies-Department of Pharmacology and Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Roberta Diaz Brinton

  2. International School for Gynecological and Reproductive Endocrinology, International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology, Locarno, Switzerland

    Andrea R. Genazzani

  3. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Tommaso Simoncini

  4. National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK

    John C. Stevenson

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© 2019 International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology

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Studd, J.W., Savvas, M., Watson, N. (2019). Reproductive Depression and the Response to Hormone Therapy. In: Brinton, R., Genazzani, A., Simoncini, T., Stevenson, J. (eds) Sex Steroids' Effects on Brain, Heart and Vessels. ISGE Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11355-1_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11355-1_8

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-11354-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-11355-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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