Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Cause Mood Swings

A report in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism suggests that the combination of progestin and estrogen in sequential hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can have a debilitating effect on women’s mood, inducing irritability, depression and anxiety.

To investigate this topic, a group of doctors conducted a study on 38 perimenopausal women from December 2000 to November 2001. The participants recorded their symptoms daily during sequential hormone replacement therapy.

In the progestin cycle of HRT, women recorded any mood swings, including symptoms such as irritability and depression, especially if the progestin was combined with increased levels of estrogen. Although it was previously thought that progestin is the major cause of negative mood swings experienced during HRT, this study concludes that when combined with progestin, estrogen is a factor in mood swings, as well.

Furthermore, women with a history of premenstrual symptoms will most likely suffer from more intense mood swings during HRT, states a report appearing in Climateric. The investigators followed 106 women during sequential HRT, noting their emotional and physical symptoms in response to the treatment. The study concluded that women who had a history of PMS suffered increased depression, tension and irritability in response to the progestin and estrogen in HRT as compared to women who had not suffered from PMS.

Before undergoing HRT, women (especially those with a history of PMS) should discuss possible treatment options for the potential mood swings that may accompany the therapy.