Survey study, 2016
Do women with schizophrenia have irregular periods, and does this affect their psychiatric symptoms?
Among 139 women with schizophrenia, 41% had irregular periods. Irregular cycles were linked to antipsychotic medications and lower estrogen levels, but did not appear to worsen psychiatric or depressive symptoms.
What they did
Researchers collected baseline data from 139 women with schizophrenia or related disorders, aged 18-51. They documented menstrual regularity, cycle length, and menstrual symptoms. They also measured psychotic symptoms, depression, cognition, and hormone levels.
What they found
77 women (55.4%) had regular periods, 57 (41%) had irregular periods, and 5 (3.6%) had missing data. Women taking certain antipsychotics were 4.4 times more likely to have irregular cycles. Irregular cycles were linked to lower estrogen levels. The most common menstrual symptoms were mood decrease (64.8%), bloating (64.8%), cramps (59.7%), back pain (37.6%), and worsening of psychosis symptoms (32.4%). Psychiatric and depressive symptoms did not differ between women with regular and irregular cycles.
What it means for you
Women with schizophrenia taking certain medications often experience irregular periods with lower estrogen, but this does not appear to worsen their psychiatric symptoms. The study was observational and did not compare women to a healthy control group.
41%
had irregular periods
64.8%
experienced mood decrease with menstrual cycle
4.4
odds ratio for irregular periods with certain antipsychotics
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrual cycle characteristics in women with persistent schizophrenia
- Authors
- Gleeson PC, Worsley R, Gavrilidis E et al.
- Journal
- The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 139
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1177/0004867415590459
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2001
Do psychiatric symptoms get worse before the period in women with schizophrenia?
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?
Review, 2025
How does the menstrual cycle affect psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety?
Randomised trial, 2008
Can adding aripiprazole to an antidepressant help premenstrual violence?
Cohort study, 2025
How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it?