Effects of hormone replacement therapy on psychiatric symptoms in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to determine the psychological benefits of HRT in postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: 30 postmenopausal women received HRT for 3 month were entered the study in Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology Department; Menopause division. Patients were given continuos 0.625 mg/day conjugated equine estrogen and 2.5 mg/day medroxiprogesteron acetate as HRT. The patients were given Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL 90-R), Beck Depression Scale (BDS) and Situation Anxiety Inventory I-II (STAI I-II). RESULTS: The patients received HRT for tree months were found to have significant decrease in depression according to BDS and in anxiety levels according to STAI-I and STAI-II (p=0.001, p=0.002, p=0.001). In symptom check list, all subscales and mean of general symptom were found to be decreased in thirth month of HRT. CONCLUSION: HRT has positive influence on both the somatic and psychiatric symptoms in postmenopausal period. Improvement in psychological symptoms via hormonal therapies or other interventions will probably lead to better quality of life for postmenopausal women.