Affect of Duavive on Mood & Anxiety Symptoms

During the transition to menopause, women are at risk for developing symptoms of depression and anxiety, and impaired sleep. Fluctuation in estrogen levels appears to play a role in this. The investigators suspect that the administration of estrogens without progesterone, such as conjugated estrogens/ bazedoxifene (CE/ BZA), may improve mood symptoms in this population. In 2017, CE/ BZA was approved for menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in Canada, but the effect on mood were not examined closely.

The investigators propose a pilot study of 30 peri- and early postmenopausal women, currently seeking treatment for symptoms of depression or anxiety. The participants will go through a round of treatment with CE/BZA. The study will last 16 weeks. The study's objectives are to determine primarily if CE/BZA improves mood among peri- and early postmenopausal women, and secondarily if treatment with CE/BZA improves their sleep.

Inclusion criteria

• Females between 45-60 years of age
• Able to communicate in English
• In perimenopause as defined by World Health Organization (WHO) Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW) criteria, OR in early menopause (within 10 years of final menstrual period)
• Suffering from Depressive symptoms (10+ on CES-D-10) AND/OR anxiety symptoms (10+ on GAD-7)

Exclusion criteria

• Personal history of breast/ ovarian/ endometrial cancer/ endometrial hyperplasia.
• Abnormal uterine bleeding that has not been adequately investigated.
• Active or past venous or arterial thromboembolic disease (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease).
• Active liver disease.
• Known protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency or other known thrombophilic disorders.
• Known or suspected pregnancy, women who may become pregnant, and nursing mothers
• Partial or complete loss of vision due to ophthalmic vascular disease.
• Uncontrolled hypertension (Systolic blood pressure >160mm Hg and/ or diastolic blood pressure >95 mm Hg)
• Endocrine disease (other than thyroid disease) that may adversely affect mood (i.e., Cushing's disease, Addison's disease). For women with abnormal TSH, it will be corrected in advance of trial initiation.
• Active serious suicidal ideation with intent.
• Symptoms of active psychosis.
• Daily use of antidepressive medication.
• Use of other psychoactive or centrally acting medications within 2 weeks before study screening.
• Known hypersensitivity to either CE or BZA.