The Effects of Reproductive Hormones on Mood and Behavior
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2020-03-03
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This study evaluates the effects of estrogen and progesterone on mood, the stress response,
and brain function in healthy women.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate how low levels of estrogen and progesterone (that
occur during treatment with leuprolide acetate) compare to menstrual cycle levels of estrogen
and progesterone (given during individual months of hormone add-back) on a variety of
physiologic measures (brain imaging, stress testing, etc.) in healthy volunteer women without
PMS.
This study will investigate effects of reproductive hormones by temporarily stopping the
menstrual cycle with leuprolide acetate and then giving, in sequence, the menstrual cycle
hormones progesterone and estrogen. Tests (such as brain imaging or stress testing, etc.)
will be performed during the different hormonal conditions (low estrogen and progesterone,
progesterone add-back, estrogen add-back). The results of these studies will be compared
between women without PMS and women with PMS (see also protocol 90-M-0088).
At study entry, participants will undergo a physical examination. Blood, urine, and pregnancy
tests will be performed. Cognitive functioning and stress response will be evaluated during
the study along with brain imaging and genetic studies.