Review, 2011
What is menstrual psychosis and how is it connected to the menstrual cycle?
Menstrual psychosis is a rare illness that looks like manic depressive (bipolar) disorder but comes on in a pattern linked to the menstrual cycle. The review suggests this link involves the hypothalamus, but this is based on case evidence, not a controlled study.
What they did
This is a review article. The author looked back over the existing literature on menstrual psychosis, including about 80 well-documented cases and about 200 other possible cases, and summarised the typical symptoms and treatments reported.
What they found
Symptoms usually look like manic depressive (bipolar) disorder. Diagnosis needs careful dating of when episodes start compared to menstrual bleeding. Usual psychiatric drugs can shorten an episode but do not stop it coming back. Thyroid hormone and clomiphene were reported as more effective at preventing recurrence. Women with this illness often have abnormal periods, such as cycles without ovulation, luteal phase problems, or missed periods, and episodes can even start before a girl's first period. The author suggests the hypothalamus is where the cycle and the bipolar tendency interact.
What it means for you
This condition is very rare and different from PMS or PMDD. The review is based on collected case reports rather than a controlled trial, so the treatment ideas (thyroid hormone, clomiphene) are suggestions from observation, not proven in rigorous trials.
80
cases with substantial evidence
200
other possible cases reviewed
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrual psychosis: a bipolar disorder with a link to the hypothalamus
- Authors
- Brockington IF
- Journal
- Current psychiatry reports
- Year
- 2011
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- No new treatment tested; review compares usual psychiatric drugs with thyroid hormone and clomiphene from case reports.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s11920-011-0191-5
Topics
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