The effect of exogenous oestrogens on depression in menopausal women

A study of the effects of conjugated oestrogens (Premarin) upon the depression scores of depressed and non-depressed menopausal women was carried out. Depression levels were obtained for both groups before and after four weeks of hormone replacement therapy. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depression levels, while a semistructured interview provided information related to the physiological, psychological and sociocultural stresses affecting individual women. Depression scores of the depressed group did not improve within the given treatment period, in contrast with improved scores for the non-depressed subjects who reported increased feelings of well-being following hormone replacement therapy.