Effects of Tibolone on Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Symptomatic Postmenopausal Women

Aims: We investigated the effect of tibolone therapy on menopausal symptoms, depression and anxiety scores in women with symptomatic natural menopause compared to control group using Kupperman's Index, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Beck Anxiety Inventory. Methods: One hundred thirty patients with menopausal symptoms enrolled into the study, and 121 patients completed. Group I patients were treated with tibolone 2.5 mg/day. Group II patients received placebo (calcium forte tablet 1000 mg/day). The menopausal, depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using Kupperman's Index, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Beck Anxiety Inventory before and at the end of the treatment. For statistical analysis, paired t, multivariate analyses tests were used. Results: At the end of 3 months of therapy, we observed significant improvement in menopausal symptoms, depression and anxiety scores in both groups. When we compared two groups' Kupperman and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BDI) scores according to time before and after the treatment, Group I scored better than Group II. The superiority of tibolone comparing placebo on depressive symptoms could not be shown in this study. Conclusion: Tibolone's effects in calming vasomotor symptoms and improving anxiety symptoms suggest it as an alternative when the possible side effects of estrogen and progesterone combination or estrogen alone are taken into account.