Estrógenos en climaterio femenino: Efecto sobre variables psicológicas

Background: The beneficial effects of estrogen supplementation in climacteric women are clear. Howerer, their psychological effects are not well documented. Aim: To study the effects of estrogen supplementation on psychological variables in climacteric women. Subjects and 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 bormonal 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.