Efficacy of 17beta-Estradiol on Depression

Article AbstractLetter to the EditorSir: Ahokas and colleagues1 recently published the results of an open-label study in which 23 women who suffered from severe postpartum depression (mean ± SD Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale total score = 40.7 ± 2.8; range, 35-45) received micronized 17β-estradiol (E2) sublingually for 8 weeks. The results were impressive: 39% of subjects experienced full remission of depression (MADRS total score ≤ 7) after 1 week of treatment, and almost 83% experienced full remission after 2 weeks. Two patients sustained antidepressant benefit at 4 weeks following treatment discontinuation. At baseline, 16 of 23 subjects were hypogonadal (serum E2 level < 110 pmol/L), and all subjects had a serum E2 level < 200 pmol/L.