IMPACT OF SSRI ON POST MENOPAUSAL WOMEN COMMUTE ON HORMONAL LEVELS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL

Zareen Naz*, Zunairah Rais, Alfarah Rehmatullah, Samina Mohyuddin

Background & Objective: Hot flashes and hormonal levels in post-menopausal women have been treated with a variety of pharmaceutical and non-pharmacological strategies, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) emerging as one of the most promising pharmaceutical treatments. This trial aimed to investigate the effects of giving a placebo and two different doses of paroxetine (12.5 mg and 20 mg daily) to postmenopausal women experiencing hot flashes.  Objectives included evaluating the impact of paroxetine medication on menopausal years, hormone levels, and the frequency of adverse effects. Methodology:  A randomize control Trial. This study was conducted at multi center, Jinnah Post Graduate medical center and Darul Sehath Hospital Karachi Pakistan from January 22- January 23. Total 180 postmenopausal women who participated. All were randomized to receive either a placebo or paroxetine at doses of 12.5 mg or 20 mg daily for a duration of 12 week. Results: Over the course of the 12-week trial, participants in all three groups saw a decrease in the frequency and intensity of hot flashes; the group taking 20 mg of paroxetine daily saw the biggest improvement, followed by the groups taking 12.5 mg and the placebo group. Hormone levels were not significantly affected by the use of paroxetine in comparison to a placebo. The incidence of adverse effects was generally modest. Conclusion: The administration of paroxetine, at increased dosages, successfully decreased the frequency and intensity of hot flashes without having negative impact on hormone levels.