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Review
. 2025 Feb 20:16:1528544.
doi: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1528544. eCollection 2025.

Using estrogen and progesterone to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postnatal depression and menopausal depression

Eveline Mu  1 , Lauren Chiu  1 , Jayashri Kulkarni  1
Affiliations
Review

Using estrogen and progesterone to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postnatal depression and menopausal depression

Eveline Mu et al. Front Pharmacol. .

Abstract

Female gonadal hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, are not only central to reproductive health but also play a crucial role in regulating mood, cognition, and overall brain health. These hormones have a significant impact on the central nervous system, influencing key processes such as neurotransmission, neuroplasticity, and brain development. Increasing evidence shows that hormonal fluctuations contribute to the onset and progression of mental health disorders that disproportionately affect women, particularly premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), postnatal depression (PND), and menopausal depression. This paper explores the current evidence regarding the neurobiological effects of female hormones on the brain and discusses the therapeutic approaches in conditions such as PMDD, PND, and menopausal depression.

Keywords: estrogen; gonadal hormones; menopausal depression; postnatal depression; premenstrual dysphoric disorder; progesterone; women's mental health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Risk of depression across the lifespan.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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