The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how hormonal changes over the menstrual cycle affect mood symptoms in reproductive-aged women with depression that worsens during the premenstrual period. The main questions it aims to answer are: --How do fluctuations in estradiol and progesterone across the menstrual cycle affect the ability to experience pleasure and the neural sensitivity to reward in hormone-sensitive, depressed women? And consequently, how does stabilizing the luteal phase decline in estrogen and progesterone (using estradiol patches and progesterone pills) affect these changes? Participants will: * Receive hormones followed by placebo, or vice versa, for a total of four weeks across three menstrual cycles * Complete daily mood ratings * Collect home urine samples for hormone testing * Complete five biobehavioral testing sessions during which neural responses are recorded (via electroencephalography, or EEG) during an acute stress task and computer tasks
Age range
18 Years – 45 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (Luteal Phase Stabilized vs Luteal Phase Unstabilized Hormones vs Follicular Phase)
Timeframe: 3 menstrual cycles (each cycle approximately 28 days in duration)
Reward Positivity (Luteal Phase Stabilized vs Luteal Phase Unstabilized Hormones vs Follicular Phase)
Timeframe: Over the course of 2 menstrual cycles (~28 days each), EEG will be collected four times on four separate days: twice during the late luteal phase (11-14 days following ovulation), and twice during the mid follicular phase (23-25 days following ovulation)