Seeking women between 18-45 with PMS who have been diagnosed with depression. If you are between 18 and 45 and:
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Suffer with PMS
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Currently being treated with an antidepressant
You may be eligible for a research study at Massachusetts General Hospital evaluating how a birth control pill helps with premenstrual mood symptoms. Women who participate will receive study medication and evaluations of their mood at no cost, and will be compensated up to $350.
For information, please call: (617) 724-6540 or email afarrell2@partners.org
I am now 61 and do not qualify for this study. During the perimenopausal and even a couple of postmenopausal years (in what felt like a continuation of the cyclical pattern) I suffered from PMDD – which included a general ill feeling and depression. I was unable to tolerate any of the antidepressants I tried. A year and a half after my last period (at age 58!) I asked my gynecologist for a prescription for hormone replacement therapy. When I was on estrogen the depression and sick feeling disappeared. As soon as I took progesterone, all the worst symptoms returned with a vengeance. I stopped taking progesterone, and put myself on an gradual estrogen taper (no more progesterone!). The dose I took for months was very tiny (about 1/16 of a pill), to minimize the risks of taking unopposed estrogen. At the end of a year, I was able to stop taking the estrogen, and have never again experienced hormone-linked depression. I hope that tiny (or tapered) doses of estrogen will provide relief for other women as they have for me.
@anonymous,
I have the same problem. Menopausal (age 55)with PMDD. I have had PMDD for years. I hoped that Menopause would end it however, I have still have a monthly cycle (4 years after stopping my period). I know it’s hormonal.
Sincerely,
AB