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Are high levels of oestradiol after implants associated with features of dependence?
A O'Leary1, P Bowen-Simpkins, H Tejura
1Singleton Hospital, Swansea, UK.
Objective:
To determine whether features of dependence develop in women receiving oestradiol implants, and if so, whether these features are related to serum oestradiol levels.
Design:
A questionnaire survey of women attending for implants over a six month period.
Setting:
An implant clinic in a district general hospital.
Main Outcome Measures:
Psychological symptoms and their relationship to serum oestradiol levels.
Results:
Women with serum oestradiol levels below 500 pmol/L were generally asymptomatic of psychological symptoms.
Conclusion:
Serum oestradiol levels of women receiving implants should be kept in the range of 300-500 pmol/L. Higher levels appear to be associated with the development of psychological symptoms which could be classified as features of dependence.
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