title: [Effects of estrogen supplementation on psychological variables in climacteric women].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The beneficial effects of estrogen supplementation in climacteric women are clear. However, their psychological effects are not well documented.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the effects of estrogen supplementation on psychological variables in climacteric women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty postmenopausal women were divided in two groups to receive a daily dose of 2 mg oestradiol valerate and 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate or an identical placebo during six months. Initially and at the end of the treatment period, they were subjected to a psychiatric interview and the Graffar, Hamilton and Eysenk personality tests were applied. Also, an Analysis of Verbal Behavior was used, that results in hope and hopeless scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in the initial assessment between the two treatment groups. In women receiving hormonal supplementation, the Hamilton score decreased from 11.2 to 4.9 (p < 0.002) and in women receiving placebo from 8.1 to 5.3 (NS). No other significant changes in psychological tests were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hormonal supplementation decreases the Hamilton depression score in postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile (Campus Sur), Hospital Barros Luco Trudeau, Santiago de Chile.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gramegna
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Blümel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jara
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schiattino
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lolas
mesh_terms: D002979:Climacteric / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010552:Personality Assessment; D017698:Postmenopause
chemical_list: D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D004958:Estradiol
vernacular_title: Estrógenos en climaterio femenino: efecto sobre variables psicológicas.