Psychological changes effected by estrogen-progestogen and clonidine treatment in climacteric women.

The psychological responses of 23 symptomatic climacteric women were analyzed to compare the effects of opposed estrogen therapy, i.e., conjugated equine estrogen (Premarin) and medrogestone (Colpro), with those of clonidine (Dixarit). Ten asymptomatic postmenopausal women constituted a control group. Statistical analysis of the data of this randomized double-blind prospective study showed that the hormone-treated group experienced significant improvement in various measurements of depression and anxiety whereas the clonidine-treated group did not. Ratings based on subjective reports by the patients support these findings. Various inverse and positive associations between the psychological variables are presented.