Withdrawal of synthetic hormones during the perimenopause: a case study.
A single case study was used to explore the experiences of a perimenopausal woman following withdrawal of synthetic hormones. The respondent, aged 51 years, had experienced severe physiologic, affective and cognitive dysfunction following withdrawal of synthetic hormones. She was approached while attending a family planning clinic in regional New South Wales, Australia. Information was obtained through a retrospective chart review and in-depth interview. The findings suggest that affective and cognitive dysfunction may be triggered by the sudden withdrawal of artificial hormones in perimenopausal women. Practitioners should be aware that some women, especially those unable to produce sufficient natural hormones, might experience severe physiologic, affective and cognitive dysfunction when hormone supplements are withdrawn. Detailed history-taking and close monitoring following the withdrawal or introduction of hormones may alert practitioners to the incidence of withdrawal symptoms or side-effects. Moving beyond the scientific interpretations, future research should address these concerns and investigate the potential for addiction when hormones are prescribed.
McVeigh
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Faculty of Nursing and Health, School of Nursing, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D017697:Premenopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires