[Are the hormonal status or psychosocial conditions the major cause of female depressive disorders after menopause?].

The study was aimed to assess if the prevalence of female depressive disorders after menopause depends on their hormonal status (E2, FSH, testosterone, DHEAS) or psychosocial conditions, Moreover, the influence of HRT on female mood disorders was estimated. One hundred women (44=65 ys old) were included into the study. Ali patients were complaining of hot flushes for at least 6 months. Among these women 31% had depressive disorders at baseline. The hormonal status, psychosocial conditions and mood disorders (Beck's and Haniilton's scales) were assessed at the baseline and after 12 months in 50 women on HRT and in 20 control patients. After 1 year the depressive mood disappeared in 59% and worsened in 5,9% of women taking HRT, whereas in the control group 35% of patient experienced depression. Among women on HRT the significant increase of serum DHEAS was observed in patients with improvement of mood as well as in depressed ones. Serum testosterone, 17P-estradiol and FSH levels did not differ between both groups. The higher scores of Beck's and Hamilton's scales were not associated with hormonal status but correlated with worsening of psychosocial conditions. The female depressive disorders after menopause are associated with their psychosocial conditions but not with their hormonal status.