Premenstrual depression, cortisol and oestradiol treatment.
A woman with a 5-year history of frequently recurrent depressions responded poorly to the usual antidepressants. She had a raised plasma cortisol and was made worse by progesterone or by ACTH. An oestradiol/testosterone implant every 4 months abolished all symptoms for at least 8 years, and plasma cortisol returned to normal. This case is relevant to an understanding of premenstrual syndromes and the genesis of depressive illness.
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004343:Drug Implants; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004958:Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004343:Drug Implants; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone