Abstract
Hormonal factors are known to have an influence on psychological function in human beings. The climacteric and the post-menopause are consequences of the declining production of hormones from the ovaries. In the reproductive feedback system a gap develops, where there is no suppression of LRH and gonadotropic hormones, and large amounts of FSH and LH are secreted into the blood stream. The serum levels of FSH and LH in post-menopausal women exceed those found during the fertile life by a factor of 30 or more. This change in the hormonal status influences many functions of the body. Many psychological symptoms developing during this period of life are probably dependant upon the hormonal changes. However, between the ages of 50 and 60 many other changes take place in the life of the woman. The children have grown up and are leaving home; the woman feels that she is no longer young and beautiful, difficulties on her place at work may appear, she may be replaced by younger people, her husband is no longer progressing in his career, and so on.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Jaszmann, L. (1973). Epidemiology of climacteric and post-climacteric complaints. Ageing and Estrogens. Front. Horm. Res., 2, 22 ( Karger, Basel )
Kopera, H. (1973). Estrogens and psychic functions. Ageing and Estrogens. Front. Horm. Res., 2, 118
Krüskemper, G. (1975). Results of psychological testing (MMPI) in climacteric women. Estrogens in the Post-Menopause. Front. Horm. Res., 3, 105
Hawkinson, L. F. (1938). The menopausal syndrome. y. Am. Med. Soc., III, 390
Bowman, K. M. and Bender, L. (1932). Am. y. Psychiatr., ii,867
Werner, A. A. (1936). Acta Neurol. Belg., 35, 1076
Ingvarsson, G. (1971). Hormone treated cases of menopausal psychosis. Acta Psychiatr. Scand., 26, 2
Kerr, M. D. (1968). Psychohormonal approach to the menopause. Mod. Treat., 53, 587
Schildkraut, J. J. (1965). The catecholamine hypothesis of affective disorders. Am. y. Psychiatr., 122, 509
Klaiber, E. (1974). First World Congress of Biological Psychiatry. Buenos Aires
Rauramo, L. Lagerspetz, K., Engblom, P. and Punnonen, R. (1975). The effect of castration and peroral estrogen therapy on some psychological functions. Estrogens in the Post-Menopause. Front. Horm. Res.,3 94
Fedor-Freybergh, P. and Dornic, S. (1975). Performance on some attention and memory tasks as a function of hormonal therapy. Reports from the Institute of applied psychology. The University of Stockholm No. 68
Fedor-Freybergh, P., Hjelmqvist, M. and Zador, G. (1976). Psychodiagnostic follow-up of Neovletta-a new low-dose oral contraceptive. Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand. (in press)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1976 MTP Press Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Furuhjelm, M., Fedor-Freybergh, P. (1976). The Influence of Estrogens on the Psyche in Climacteric and Post-menopausal Women. In: van Keep, P.A., Greenblatt, R.B., Albeaux-Fernet, M. (eds) Consensus on Menopause Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7179-3_16
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7179-3_16
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-011-7181-6
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-7179-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive