Survey study, 2005
Does estrogen level affect schizophrenia symptom severity during the menstrual cycle?
Yes, significantly. Women with schizophrenia had less severe symptoms when estrogen was higher during their menstrual cycle (p < 0.001). This is based on a small study.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 30 women with chronic schizophrenia taking risperidone 6mg daily. They measured hormone levels and symptoms on four specific days of the menstrual cycle: day 3 (low hormones), day 10 (rising estrogen), day 13 (peak estrogen), and day 21 (high progesterone). Symptoms were rated using the PANSS scale.
What they found
Estrogen and progesterone levels changed significantly across the cycle (p < 0.001). Schizophrenia symptom scores on the PANSS scale significantly decreased from day 3 to days 10 and 13, when estrogen levels were higher. This improvement was seen in total scores and all subscales measuring positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and general psychopathology.
What it means for you
Higher estrogen levels may reduce schizophrenia symptoms. However, this is a very small study (30 women) that only shows correlation, not causation. The authors note that more systematic research is needed to understand how estrogen affects schizophrenia.
30
Women in study
p < 0.001
Statistical significance of symptom improvement
4 days
Number of assessment points per cycle
About the study
- Original title
- Is there a relationship between estrogen serum level and symptom severity throughout the menstrual cycle of patients with schizophrenia?
- Authors
- Shahin Akhondzadeh, Kamran Mokhberi, Homayoun Amini et al.
- Journal
- Therapy
- Year
- 2005
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 30
- What was tested
- Measurement of hormone levels and symptom severity at four different phases of the menstrual cycle
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1586/14750708.2.5.745
Topics
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