Can stabilizing hormones ease premenstrual depression? new study investigates
NCT ID NCT06610305
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looks at how natural ups and downs of estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle affect mood and the ability to feel pleasure in women whose depression gets worse before their period. Researchers will give 75 women hormone patches and pills to temporarily stabilize these hormones, then measure brain activity and mood changes. The goal is to understand the link between hormones and depression, not to test a new treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- estradiol patch and progesterone pills
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could reveal how hormone changes trigger depression symptoms, pointing toward better treatments for premenstrual-related mood disorders.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study focused on understanding mechanisms, not testing a new treatment. Results may not lead to immediate therapies.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
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About 75 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 45 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Biologically female and between the ages of 18-45 years (45 set as upper limit to avoid endocrine changes associated with perimenopause). * Self-reported regular menstrual cycles between 25 and 35 days. * A previous diagnosis of major depressive disorder, with self-reported premenstrual worsening of symptoms. * If the woman has children, she must be at least 1 year postpartum. * English-speaking Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to become pregnant. Pregnancy status will be confirmed using a urine pregnancy test at the enrollment visit and again at the first visit of the second condition. Women will be instructed to use a barrier method of birth control during the study. * Taking any form of exogenous hormones or IUD, and must have ended previous use of hormonal preparations at least one month prior to the study. Women who were previously taking oral contraceptives or other hormonal medications must have one normal menstrual cycle (menstrual period) prior to enrollment in the study. * BMI less than 18 or greater than 29. * A personal history of any chronic medical condition that could confound the experimental protocol, including but not limited to metabolic or autoimmune disease, epilepsy, endometriosis, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, pulmonary disease, migraine with aura, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, and thromboembolic events. * A family history indicative of increased risk of breast cancer or thromboembolic disorders. * Current cigarette smoking. * A history of mania, psychosis, or substance use disorder. * Any recent history (last 12 months) of active suicidal ideation, or suicide attempt within the last 5 years.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
RECRUITINGChapel Hill, North Carolina, 27707, United States
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