Mood disorders and the reproductive cycle

Women have a significantly higher risk for developing mood disorders than men. Although reasons for this gender difference are not fully understood, it is clear that changing levels of reproductive hormones throughout women's life cycles can have direct or indirect effects on mood. Fluctuations in reproductive hormones may interactively affect neuroendocrine, neurotransmitter, and circadian systems. Reproductive hormones also may affect response to some antidepressant drugs and alter the course of rapid-cycling mood disorders. Nonpharmacologic interventions, such as light therapy and sleep deprivation, may be beneficial for mood disorders linked to the reproductive cycle. These interventions may have fewer side effects and a greater potential for patient compliance than some antidepressant drugs.