Survey study, 2002
Are women with schizophrenia more likely to need hospital admission during the perimenstrual phase?
Yes. Two studies found that women with schizophrenia were significantly more likely to be admitted to hospital during the week around menstruation compared to other times of the month.
What they did
Cross-sectional study tracking hospital admission records of two groups of premenopausal women with schizophrenia: 115 women in the first sample and 170 in the second.
What they found
In the first sample, 37.4% of admissions happened during the perimenstrual phase. In the second sample, 31.8% happened during this phase. Both increases were statistically significant. Age, age at illness onset, and duration of illness did not differ between those admitted perimenstrually and those admitted at other times.
What it means for you
Hormonal changes around menstruation may worsen psychotic symptoms in women with schizophrenia. However, this is observational data showing timing, not proof of what caused the admissions. The studies don't tell us if this applies to all women with schizophrenia or just some.
37.4%
First sample admitted perimenstrually
31.8%
Second sample admitted perimenstrually
3 days each side
Perimenstrual window
About the study
- Original title
- Acute psychiatric admission and menstrual cycle phase in women with schizophrenia
- Authors
- Bergemann N, Parzer P, Nagl I et al.
- Journal
- Archives of women's mental health
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 170
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00737-002-0004-2