Li HJ, Martinez PE, Li X, et al. - Researchers performed a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of outpatient postpartum depression (PPD) treatment with transdermal estradiol (TE). Transdermal 17β-estradiol (100 mcg/day) or placebo patch were provided to 12 women with PPD (6 received TE and 6 received placebo). Outcomes revealed no significant therapeutic benefit of TE vs placebo in PPD. For outpatient PPD management, TE seems a feasible option, with initial evidence (based on secondary outcomes) for effectiveness. Patients could display therapeutic effects as early as 3 weeks. These effects may not have a direct relation with peripheral measures of estradiol.