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Premenstrual depression, cortisol and oestradiol treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

J. L. Crammer*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr J. L. Crammer, Institute of Psychiatry, Dc Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF.

Synopsis

A woman with a 5-year history of frequently recurrent depressions responded poorly to the usual antidepressants. She had a raised plasma cortisol and was made worse by progesterone or by ACTH. An oestradiol/testosterone implant every 4 months abolished all symptoms for at least 8 years, and plasma cortisol returned to normal. This case is relevant to an understanding of premenstrual syndromes and the genesis of depressive illness.

Type
Case Report
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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