Estrogen is a female hormone that plays an important role in the sexual development of the woman and helps regulate the menstrual cycle during the childbearing years. The amount of estrogen produced by the ovaries decreases after menopause. A synthetic form of the hormone may be prescribed to treat underdeveloped reproductive organs in younger women, inflammation of the vagina and osteoporosis. Estrogen is available in tablet, capsule, gel and emulsion forms. Estrogen therapy may impact the mood and behavior of the patient.
Improves Post-menopausal Mood Swings
The drop in estrogen levels due to menopause may lead to a decrease in production of neuroreceptors such as serotonin and dopamine. This may lead to anxiety and mood swings, which are further aggravated by the changes in the woman's body that make her feel old or weak. An article published by ScienceDaily in May 2007 states that estrogen treatment may improve mood swings and sleep disturbances in postmenopausal women and elevate their overall quality of life.
May Relieve Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is a condition characterized by mood swings and crying spells in a woman after giving birth. Although a single cause of postpartum depression has not been identified, a dramatic decrease in the levels of estrogen after pregnancy may be a major contributing factor. Estrogen therapy may be recommended to such women. However, a study published in the December 2005 edition of "CNS Spectrums" suggests that more research is required to establish the effectiveness of estrogen therapy in women with postpartum depression. Although estrogen may ease the symptoms of postpartum depression, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of estrogen therapy before starting it, according to MayoClinic.com.
Reduces Impact of Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative, terminal form of dementia or memory loss that affects 47 percent of individuals in the U.S. who are 85 years of age or older, according to the "Annals of The New York Academy of Sciences." Estrogen is believed to reduce the impact of Alzheimer's disease and the mood swings associated with it, because estrogen has the ability to enter the nerve cells and regulate the genes that lead to growth of new neurons. A study published in the September 2010 edition of the "Annals of The New York Academy of Sciences" says that estrogen therapy reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease. However, the effect is stronger if the woman is under 49 years of age. In fact, the effect may be negative or neutral if the woman is between 60 and 65 years of age.
References
- "Annals of The New York Academy of Sciences"; Estrogen therapy and Alzheimer's dementia; Michael C. Craig and D.G.M. Murphy; September 2010
- "CNS Spectrums"; The role of estrogen therapy in postpartum psychiatric disorders: an update; Gentile S; December 2005
- MayoClinic.com: Postpartum depression
- ScienceDaily: Updated Recommendations On Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy From International Menopause Society
