Could estrogen patches ease perimenopause mood swings and psychosis?
NCT ID NCT05282277
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether estradiol patches can improve anhedonia (loss of pleasure) and psychosis symptoms that start during perimenopause. About 100 women aged 44-55 will receive either estradiol or a placebo patch for three weeks, plus a short course of progesterone. Researchers will use brain scans to see how the hormone affects reward-related brain activity.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
estradiol (a hormone patch)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a hormone-based treatment for mood and psychosis symptoms that start during perimenopause.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase study with only 103 participants, so results may not apply widely. Hormone therapy also carries risks like blood clots and breast tenderness.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
RECRUITINGChapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••