The effect of sex hormone replacement therapy on behavior problems and moods in adolescents with delayed puberty.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this clinical study was to determine the effects of sex steroids on behavior and mood in adolescents with hypogonadism.


METHODS
The experimental design consisted of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial lasting for 21 months. The study group consisted of 39 boys and 16 girls recruited from a pediatric endocrine clinic for delayed puberty. Depo-testosterone (to boys) or conjugated estrogens (to girls) was administered in 3-month blocks, alternating with placebo, at 3 dose levels approximating early, middle, and late pubertal amounts. The Child Behavior Checklist, Youth Self Report, Differential Emotion Scale, and Daily Mood Diary were administered after each placebo and treatment period to ascertain the effect of sex steroids on self- and parent-reported behavior problems and moods.


RESULTS
The data demonstrated only one significant treatment effect, namely, an increase in withdrawn behavior problems during administration of low-dose estrogen in girls. There were no consistent sex differences.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that administered testosterone or estrogen has minimal effects on behavior problems or mood in adolescents.
Susman
E J
EJ
Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, USA.
Finkelstein
J W
JW
Chinchilli
V M
VM
Schwab
J
J
Liben
L S
LS
D'Arcangelo
M R
MR
Meinke
J
J
Demers
L M
LM
Lookingbill
G
G
Kulin
H E
HE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011628:Puberty, Delayed / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D013739:Testosterone; C016131:testosterone 17 beta-cypionate