ABSTRACT
Using a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design, the effect of equine conjugated oestrogens tablets (Premarin) was studied in 20 women with the climacteric syndrome followed during 15 months. Sixteen women were equally improved on placebo and oestrogen. Only 2 patients had an improved sense of well-being on oestrogen and not on placebo. The psychological diagnosis was unrelated to the subjective response to oestrogen or placebo. Performance in psychological tests administered before and during treatment periods was not changed by oestrogen or placebo.
Subject(s)
Climacteric/drug effects , Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)/therapeutic use , Adult , Attitude of Health Personnel , Cornell Medical Index , Depression/drug therapy , Double-Blind Method , Drug Evaluation , Emotions/drug effects , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Personality Tests , Placebos , Professional-Patient RelationsSubject(s)
Bipolar Disorder/drug therapy , Brain/drug effects , Norepinephrine/metabolism , Serotonin/metabolism , Tranylcypromine/therapeutic use , Tryptophan/therapeutic use , 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids/urine , 17-Ketosteroids/urine , Adolescent , Bipolar Disorder/metabolism , Blood Pressure , Body Temperature , Body Weight , Brain/metabolism , Clinical Trials as Topic , Drug Synergism , Electroencephalography , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Humans , Menstruation , Placebos , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Pulse , Reserpine/therapeutic use , Respiration , Sodium/urine , Water-Electrolyte BalanceABSTRACT
A woman with periodic catatonia had a 600-day metabolic study. The results were analyzed by harmonic analysis. Her periodic stupors showed a regular 36-day rhythm apparently related to a 24-day menstrual cycle; but the rhythm persisted when menstrual function was blocked by continuous Enovid (norethynodrel + mestranol) administration. During the menstrual block, weight, sodium balance, magnesium and 17-ketosteroid (17-KS) excretion gave indications of 12- and 36-day fluctuations. Further studies on steriod excretion indicated that similar fuctuations in 17-KS output occurred when the patient was menstruating normally. The peaks of the 12-day cycle coincided with menses and the mid-menstrual phase; while the peak of the 36-day cycle coincided with the onset of stupor. 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS) excretion had a 36-day cycle which lagged 4 days behind the 36-day 17-KS cycle. There were no indications of a 12-day 17-OHCS cycle. In the discussion it is suggested that the 17-KS fluctuations may partly reflect gonadotrophin activity rather than being exclusively due to ACTH. It is noted that Enovid may block only LH activity not total gonadotrophins. It is speculated that there may be a relationship between gonadotrophin activity and the psychic disturbance.
