This study will test for effects of estradiol (E2) on PTSD symptoms and functional magnetic
resonance imaging (fMRI) indicators of stress vulnerability, in naturally-cycling women who
are not using hormonal birth control. Enrollment will be targeted to create three groups
within two cohorts (early follicular phase and luteal phase):
1. PTSD: Women who meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
criteria for PTSD
2. Trauma-Exposed (TC): Women matched for age and trauma exposure severity but without PTSD
3. Healthy Control (HC): Women matched for age, but without trauma history or psychiatric
disorder (self-reported)
Women will be recruited through Grady Trauma Project (GTP), a large longstanding study of
civilian trauma and PTSD conducted at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.