Case report, 1993
Can psychotic symptoms be linked to the menstrual cycle?
Yes. This girl developed psychotic symptoms that appeared right before her period and disappeared when her period started, suggesting a link to the menstrual cycle. This is a single case.
What they did
A 14-year-old girl with PMS who developed psychotic symptoms during two premenstrual periods was treated with dehydroxyprogesterone for two cycles, then placebo for three cycles.
What they found
Her psychotic symptoms resolved completely when her period started in both cases. The symptoms did not return after the two cycles when she had them. Her PMS also resolved in the next cycle.
What it means for you
Psychotic symptoms linked to the menstrual cycle might be a rare condition on its own. We cannot know from this single case whether it happens in other people or how common it is.
1
girl studied
14
age in years
2
menstrual cycles with psychotic symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Cyclic psychosis associated with the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Stein D, Hanukoglu A, Blank S et al.
- Journal
- The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Case report
- What was tested
- Dehydroxyprogesterone for two cycles, then placebo for three cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1192/bjp.163.6.824
Topics
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