Women experience major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) approximately twice as often as men. Estrogen is thought to contribute to sex differences in these disorders, and reduced estrogen is also known to be a key driver of menopause symptoms such as hot flashes. Moreover, estrogen is used to treat menopause symptoms. In order to test for potential shared genetic influences between menopause symptoms and psychiatric disorders, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of estrogen medication use (as a proxy for menopause symptoms) in the UK Biobank.

The analysis included 232 993 women aged 39–71 in the UK Biobank. The outcome variable for genetic analyses was estrogen medication use, excluding women using hormonal contraceptives. Trans-ancestry GWAS meta-analyses were conducted along with genetic correlation analyses on the European ancestry GWAS results. Hormone usage was also tested for association with depression and PTSD.

GWAS of estrogen medication use (compared to non-use) identified a locus in the TACR3 gene, which was previously linked to hot flashes in menopause [top rs77322567, odds ratio (OR) = 0.78, p = 7.7 × 10−15]. Genetic correlation analyses revealed shared genetic influences on menopause symptoms and depression (rg = 0.231, s.e. = 0.055, p = 2.8 × 10−5). Non-genetic analyses revealed higher psychiatric symptoms scores among women using estrogen medications.

These results suggest that menopause symptoms have a complex genetic etiology which is partially shared with genetic influences on depression. Moreover, the TACR3 gene identified here has direct clinical relevance; antagonists for the neurokinin 3 receptor (coded for by TACR3) are effective treatments for hot flashes.

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common problem in women that can adversely affect their quality of life.

In this survey the quality of life of the patients has been treated by hysterectomy and whom have received hormone therapy have been studied.

This is a descriptive and comparative clinical study in which 54 women have been treated due to AUB by hysterectomy and 54 women received hormone therapy because of the same reason completed the WHO questionnaire for life quality. Data then analyzed by independent t test, ANCOVA and Mann-Wittnei using SPSS software.

With regard to the total score of the questionnaire, there was no difference between two groups (61.77±9.30 for hysterectomy group vs. 65.36±7.32 for hormone group, P=0.34).On the other hand, considering the mental dimension score of the questionnaire, a significant difference was observed between groups (50.72±16.81 for hysterectomy group vs. 80.09±10.37 for hormone group, P=0.001)

This study demonstrates that at least mental aspects of quality of life are significantly better in the AUB patients treated by hormone therapy, comparing to those treated by hysterectomy. Education and counseling of the patients and their families may improve life quality in more cases.

Access to transition-related medical interventions (TRMIs) for transgender veterans has been the subject of substantial public interest and debate. To better inform these important conversations, the current study investigated whether undergoing hormone or surgical transition intervention(s) relates to the frequency of recent suicidal ideation (SI) and symptoms of depression in transgender veterans.

This study included a cross-sectional, national sample of 206 self-identified transgender veterans. They self-reported basic demographics, TRMI history, recent SI, and symptoms of depression through an online survey.

Significantly lower levels of SI experienced in the past year and 2-weeks were seen in veterans with a history of both hormone intervention and surgery on both the chest and genitals in comparison with those who endorsed a history of no medical intervention, history of hormone therapy but no surgical intervention, and those with a history of hormone therapy and surgery on either (but not both) the chest or genitals when controlling for sample demographics (e.g., gender identity and annual income). Indirect effect analyses indicated that lower depressive symptoms experienced in the last 2-weeks mediated the relationship between the history of surgery on both chest and genitals and SI in the last 2-weeks.

Results indicate the potential protective effect that TRMI may have on symptoms of depression and SI in transgender veterans, particularly when both genitals and chest are affirmed with one's gender identity. Implications for policymakers, providers, and researchers are discussed.