Posted by ronaldo on November 5, 2006, at 10:35:56
In reply to Depression and estrogen?, posted by TrishP on November 5, 2006, at 10:00:54
> I am taking 1mg of estradiol in the morning and 1mg at night. I had my total hysterectomy on Aug. 21st.
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> I feel fine physically, but mentally I am so depressed. I have never felt this bad in my life.
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> Could the estrogen be causing the depression?
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> I can't take any of the SSRIs because they cause terrible bladder problems.
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> If I feel great physically, why do I want to die?
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> I wish I could take Lexapro or Prozac or Zoloft - they help my moods - but I can't take the awful side effects.
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> Is it the estrogen? What am I supposed to do? I'm beginning to regret my hysterectomy!Hi Trish, I hope this helps...
DEPRESSION
http://www.womhealth.org.au/factsheets/hysterectomy.htm
There is actually little evidence to suggest a direct connection between having a hysterectomy and developing depression. In fact, many women's psychological symptoms improve due to relief from the gynaecological problem/s for which they were having a hysterectomy. Those at risk of developing depression following a hysterectomy are women with existing psychological problems, women who do not find symptom relief, women who develop serious post-surgery complications or side effects and women who have been rushed into the procedure without coming to terms with it.
Symptoms of depression may include: severe and prolonged feelings of sadness and hopelessness; diminished interest in activities; decrease in appetite, significant weight loss or gain; sleep disturbance; decreased libido; lack of energy; and thoughts of death or suicide. Women suffering from depression following their hysterectomy should consult either their general practitioner or a counsellor, and may find joining a support group to be helpful.
and this....
http://forums.obgyn.net/womens-health/WHF.0301/2419.html
I had a total hysterectomy in March 2002. Every since then, I too, have experienced continual depression. My ovaries were not taken out. After realizing this "blue mood" was hanging on, I had a blood test to check my hormones. Still okay in that sense. I know for sure I entirely miss my "rythm"...but I can't put my finger on why the depression and memory skips that seem a whole lot more often than before my surgery. I looked for information on the internet hoping to find it's not all make believe and that other women have experienced this too. Seems like others have and do. Sincerly, Deb K.
and this.... (a bit too technical for me)
http://www.theberries.ns.ca/BOTW_archives/estrogen_depression.html
Estrogen and Depression
The marked sex difference in rates of psychiatric illness beginning at puberty and continuing throughout the reproductive years suggest that the brain's hormonal environment can modulate risk and severity of psychiatric morbidity. This hypothesis, that hormones play an integral role in the development and prognosis of psychiatric disorders, has been attracting increasing attention, especially in relation to the treatment of depression, and more recently schizophrenia.The male-female contrasts in estrogen production throughout the reproductive years are proposed to differentially modulate the expression of depression between the sexes. Mood changes are frequently reported during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and following childbirth1. The finding of increased risk for depression at menopause has not been replicated consistently, however a recent epidemiologic study did find that the onset of major depression was increased after menopause, at a time when estrogen levels decline.2 It is postulated that post-menopausal women are increasingly vulnerable to depression due to this reduced estrogen production.
The activity of estrogen on neurotransmitter and receptor functioning has antidepressant characteristics. Estrogen enhances serotonergic function (increases synthesis and uptake, post-synaptic receptor responsivity, and leads to up-regulation of 5-HT1 and down-regulation of 5-HT2 serotonin receptors. It also increases norepinephrine activity in the brain, and improvement in mood and cognition reported in women on estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) may also involve changes in monoamine oxidase activity.3
Although estrogen has been shown to improve mood and sense of well-being in non-depressed peri- and post-menopausal women, estrogen alone does not improve mood in women with clinical depression.4 However, there may be a role for estrogen as an adjunct to antidepressant therapy. A recent double-blind study (n=127) found that older depressed women (60 years or older) on ERT who received sertraline had substantially greater improvements than women receiving sertraline alone.5 However, these findings were not replicated in a younger cohort of depressed women (>45 years) given fluoxetine (n=172) with or without ERT.6 Considering this, it has been suggested that estrogen augmentation for perimenopausal depression be reserved for a subgroup of women, those with a history of depression associated with changes in estrogen levels (postpartum depression or mood changes related to the menstrual cycle).7
In summary, there appears to be a link between estrogen and the onset, course and severity of depression suggesting estrogen supplementation may be a useful adjuvant therapy in selected depressed women.
Muriel Darniche, BSc Pharm, Nantes, France
David Gardner, PharmD, Halifax, NSI hope this helps you, after all this I have just realized that estradiol is a form of estrogen. Could it be that you are taking too much or else not enough? I don't know but I will post this and hope it helps you in some way.
....ronaldo
poster:ronaldo
thread:700554
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061104/msgs/700561.html