The Role of Estrogen Therapy in Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders: An Update

Abstract

AbstractObjectives:The aim of this review is to assess and summarize the existing literature data about the efficacy of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in preventing and treating postpartum psychiatric disorders.Methods:An extensive and unrestrictive computerized search (from 1970 to June 2005) on MEDLINE/PubMed, TOXNET, EMBASE, and Cochrane Databases was conducted with the following search terms: estradiol, estrogen-treatment, hormonal treatment, therapy, postpartum depression, postnatal depression, puerperal depression, postpartum blues, postpartum psychosis, lactation, and breastfeeding.Results:In assessing available literature information about the role of ERT in preventing and treating puerperal psychiatric diseases, all reviewed studies were found to suffer from severe methodological limitations.Conclusion:Well-designed and strictly focused multicenter trials are warranted in order to firmly establish the effectiveness of ERT in puerperal psychiatric disorders.