--- title: Can hormonal therapy treat psychotic symptoms tied to the menstrual cycle? description: This case describes a 26-year-old woman whose psychotic symptoms appeared with her menstrual cycle. Antipsychotic medication initially helped, but low-dose ho url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-psychosis-in-a-patient-with-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-repeatedly-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Can hormonal therapy treat psychotic symptoms tied to the menstrual cycle? Case report, 2026 # Can hormonal therapy treat psychotic symptoms tied to the menstrual cycle? This case describes a 26-year-old woman whose psychotic symptoms appeared with her menstrual cycle. Antipsychotic medication initially helped, but low-dose hormonal birth control led to lasting improvement. Early or limited evidence One 26-year-old woman with menstrual psychosis and PMDD ## What they did A 26-year-old woman with psychotic symptoms aligned with her menstrual cycle (including episodes of catatonia) was first treated with antipsychotic medications. She had premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) as a comorbid condition. Her first two psychotic episodes were triggered by minimal alcohol intake. Later, she also started low-dose estrogen-progestin hormonal therapy. ## What they found Antipsychotic treatment initially improved her symptoms, but relapses occurred until low-dose estrogen-progestin therapy was introduced, which resulted in sustained remission. ## What it means for you This case suggests hormonal treatment may be effective for psychotic symptoms linked to the menstrual cycle in women with PMDD. It also suggests alcohol may trigger these severe symptoms in some women. However, this is one person's experience. Much more research is needed to understand how best to treat this rare condition. 26 Age of patient ## About the study Original title Menstrual Psychosis in a Patient With Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Repeatedly Triggered by Minimal Alcohol Consumption: A Case Report Authors Tagusari H, Nishimura K, Mizutani M et al. Journal Case reports in psychiatry Year 2026 Study design Case report What was tested Antipsychotic medications and low-dose estrogen-progestin hormonal therapy Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1155/crps/4861191](https://doi.org/10.1155/crps/4861191) Original abstract Menstrual psychosis, a condition characterized by acute onset, brief duration with full recovery, and psychotic or manic symptoms aligned with the menstrual cycle, has been described in the literature. However, it is not recognized as an independent diagnostic entity in either the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11) or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), and treatment options and comorbidities associated with this condition remain poorly understood. We report the case of a 26-year-old woman who repeatedly developed acute psychotic symptoms, including catatonia, which was in synchrony with her menstrual cycle, with the first two episodes triggered by minimal alcohol intake. Retrospective assessment revealed the presence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) as a comorbidity. Although antipsychotic treatment initially improved her symptoms, relapses occurred until low-dose estrogen-progestin (LEP) therapy was introduced, resulting in sustained remission. This case highlights the potential efficacy of hormonal intervention, the overlap between menstrual psychosis and PMDD, and the possible role of alcohol as a trigger. It emphasizes the need for a rigorous approach to diagnosis and the development of evidence-based treatment strategies. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-menstrual-psychosis/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[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 Case report, 2013 Can severe mood changes around a period be an early sign of bipolar disorder? 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? Systematic review, 2025 What are the main trends in research about premenstrual disorders and related conditions? Survey study, 2025 Does hormonal contraception affect PMDD? Survey study, 2021 Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder linked to suicide risk in women with mood disorders? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗