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.
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
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2022
Do mental health disorders get worse during the menstrual cycle?
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?