A brighter mood in menopause: Bio-identical hormones for mood support

Female hormone therapy isn’t just for hot flashes. Just like oxygen, water and blood sugar, hormones have an important role in every part of your body.

We experience a broad array of mental & emotional changes as our hormones change. Is it any surprise, then, that balancing or replacing those hormones can help your mood?

If you are like most women, you’ll experienced a few of these before or after menopause:

  • Irritability
  • Weepiness
  • Depression & fatigue
  • Anxiety
  • Joint pain and stiffness

Tired and feeling blue ever since your periods ended? You are not alone. Don’t worry, science is catching up!

This month, JAMA Psychiatry published results from a randomized clinical trial showing that perimenopausal and post-menopausal women were significantly less likely to develop depression if taking bio-identical hormones.

January 10, 2018

Conclusions: Twelve months of [transdermal estradiol and oral micronized progesterone] were more effective than placebo in preventing the development of clinically significant depressive symptoms…”

Clinically, I see my patients prove this to be true. And it’s not only true for women in menopause. I’ve observed:

  • Men with depression able to stop antidepressants once on testosterone
  • Younger women with less depression & anxiety once on progesterone

When I recommend hormone support, I rarely just prescribe a standard estrogen patch. Individuals deserve to have a complete picture of their hormone health to ensure safer prescription therapies and better symptom relief. This means quality labs and individualized hormone prescriptions.

LABS – GET THE WHOLE PICTURE:

  • Estradiol, Progesterone & FSH
  • DHEA-s & Pregnenolone
  • Thyroid and cortisol when appropriate

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

Like any medication, there are risks and concerns that come with taking bio-identical hormones. These vary depending on age, health and the type of hormones taken. There can also be many benefits, in addition to mood support:

  • Osteoporosis prevention
  • Weight management
  • Cardiovascular health
  • Strength & agility
  • Energy & vitality

CAN BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES HELP YOU?

Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor if you are a candidate for bio-identical hormones. This should include a conversation regarding potential benefits and side effects. If you have access to a licensed Naturopathic Physician or other doctor practicing Functional Medicine, make an appointment today!

Wishing you health,

Dr. Kaley Bourgeois

Reference:

GORDON, J. L., RUBINOW, D. R., EISENLOHR-MOUL, T. A., XIA, K., SCHMIDT, P. J. AND GIRDLER, S. S.

Efficacy of Transdermal Estradiol and Micronized Progesterone in the Prevention of Depressive Symptoms in the Menopause Transition

Gordon, J., Rubinow, D., Eisenlohr-Moul, T., Xia, K., Schmidt, P. and Girdler, S. (2018). Efficacy of Transdermal Estradiol and Micronized Progesterone in the Prevention of Depressive Symptoms in the Menopause Transition.

Posted in Health Blog.