A large real-world cohort study reinforces mood as a treatable target within BHRT: among 920 peri- and postmenopausal women at the UK’s largest specialist menopause clinic, Meno-D mood scores improved significantly over an average of 107 days following initiation or optimization of transdermal 17β-oestradiol — with progesterone or a levonorgestrel-releasing IUS, and with or without transdermal testosterone. Benefit held across both perimenopausal and postmenopausal women and regardless of regimen, giving clinicians reassuring flexibility to individualize bioidentical therapy. Though the retrospective design means prospective trials are still needed, the consistency of benefit supports optimizing hormonal status before defaulting to antidepressants for menopausal mood symptoms.

Glynne S, Kamal A, McColl L, Newson L, Reisel D, Mu E, Hendriks O, Saini P, Gurvich C, Kulkarni J. Transdermal oestradiol and testosterone therapy for menopausal depression and mood symptoms: retrospective cohort study. Br J Psychiatry. 2026 May;228(5):409–418. doi:10.1192/bjp.2025.101. PMID: 40519046.