---
title: Do psychotic symptoms get worse during the menstrual period? | Niyora
description: Yes. Women with psychotic disorders are 1.48 times more likely to need psychiatric admission during the perimenstrual phase. Some studies also found symptom w
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/exacerbation-of-psychosis-during-the-perimenstrual-phase-of-the-menstrual-cycle-2020/
---

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- Do psychotic symptoms get worse during the menstrual period?

Systematic review, 2020

# Do psychotic symptoms get worse during the menstrual period?

Yes. Women with psychotic disorders are 1.48 times more likely to need psychiatric admission during the perimenstrual phase. Some studies also found symptom worsening during this time.

 Moderate study design

1193 women with psychotic disorders across 19 studies

## What they did

Systematic review of 19 studies (1193 women) measuring psychotic exacerbations across the menstrual cycle. Studies examined psychiatric admissions, symptom scores, and self-reported worsening.

## What they found

Psychiatric admission rates were 1.48 times higher than expected during perimenstrual phase (95% CI 1.31-1.67). Four of six symptom score studies reported perimenstrual worsening. Two studies found 20% to 32.4% of women self-reported menstrual exacerbation.

## What it means for you

Women with psychotic disorders experience predictable worsening around their period. The pattern is real, not coincidence. Better measurement methods are needed to understand which symptoms worsen and when.

1193

Participants

1.48

Times higher admission during perimenstrual phase

20-32.4%

Women reporting menstrual exacerbation

## About the study

Original title Exacerbation of Psychosis During the Perimenstrual Phase of the Menstrual Cycle: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Authors Reilly TJ, Sagnay de la Bastida VC, Joyce DW et al. Journal Schizophrenia bulletin Year 2020 Study design Systematic review What was tested None; observational study of menstrual cycle effects Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbz030](https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbz030)

## Topics

[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Systematic review, 2022

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Study, 2026

Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?

Survey study, 2026

What is the true rate of PMDD, and does it worsen mental health conditions?

Cohort study, 2011

Does premenstrual symptom worsening change how bipolar disorder develops over time?

Case report, 2025

Can birth control medication help menstrual cycle-related psychosis?

Review, 2025

How does the menstrual cycle affect psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety?

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