Low-dose conjugated equine estrogens elevate circulating neurotransmitters and improve the psychological well-being of menopausal women

The special extract ERr 731 of the roots of Rheum rhaponticum decreases anxiety and improves health state and general well-being in perimenopausal women

“…3 HT in menopausal women is consistently reported to improve mood and feelings of general well-being and increase general activity levels. 4 A possible explanation for the correlation of anxiety and lack of estradiol is that conjugated equine estrogens cause alterations in the brain neurotransmitters that are implicated in mood and other mental status changes. 4 In addition, menopause-related depression and anxiety are associated with neuroendocrine dysregulation, as demonstrated by a hyperactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.…”

“…4 A possible explanation for the correlation of anxiety and lack of estradiol is that conjugated equine estrogens cause alterations in the brain neurotransmitters that are implicated in mood and other mental status changes. 4 In addition, menopause-related depression and anxiety are associated with neuroendocrine dysregulation, as demonstrated by a hyperactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Changes in the communication between the hypothalamicpituitary axis and the central nervous system have effects on the neurotransmitter systems affecting mood states.…”

Quality of Life and Menopause: The Role of Estrogen

“…The delicate balance between the doses of estrogen and progestogens in HRT is an area of intense interest. In fact, several recent reports support the efficacy and improved benefit/risk ratios of lower-dose combinations of CEE (0.45 mg)/MPA (1.5 mg) specifically for prevention of bone loss, 95 relief of vaginal atrophy and vasomotor symptoms, 96 improvement of plasma lipid profiles, 97 beneficial effects on psychological well-being, 34 and reduction in endometrial bleeding. 98 This same HRT dose combination also provided endometrial protection comparable to commonly prescribed doses.…”

“…34 Atypical symptoms of menopause, such as irritability, depressive moods, and aggressiveness, have been shown to be an indirect effect of vasomotor symptoms. 35 Estrogen has been shown to have positive effects on mood.…”

“…Estrogen reduced CNS levels of MAO in a preclinical study, 86 and MAO inhibition has been used to treat depression by indirectly increasing serotonin levels. 87 A recent report by Zarate et al 34 demonstrated that low baseline levels of b-endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin became elevated and were correlated with mood improvement in postmenopausal women treated with 21-day cycles of low-dose estrogen followed by a progestin for the last 5 days of each cycle, compared with those who received placebo. Further support was demonstrated in a prospective, double-blind, crossover investigation performed in 31 premenopausal women who were to undergo hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy.…”