Menopause Increases Risk of Relapse in Women with Schizophrenia
Menopause is a period of increased risk for women with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and women are at higher risk for relapse than their age-matched male counterparts.
Cannabis Use More Common Among Pregnant Women with Depression, Anxiety and Trauma
Despite decreasing rates of alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, the use of cannabis use during pregnancy is on the rise. Several qualitative studies have suggested that pregnant women report using cannabis to manage a [...]
Essential Reads:Â Clinical Challenges in the Treatment of Perimenopausal Women with Schizophrenia
Women with schizophrenia may experience worsening of their symptoms as they transition into the menopause.Â
In Brief: Women with Schizophrenia More Likely to Have Rapid Repeat Pregnancy
Women who have a shorter interpregnancy interval, typically defined as less 12 months, experience higher rates of pregnancy complications. In addition there is accumulating dated to suggest that there are higher risks of neurodevelopmental problems, [...]
Estrogen Receptor Modulator Raloxifene for Women with Schizophrenia
Several years ago, we reviewed a paper suggesting that estrogen may have beneficial effects for women with schizophrenia. Â In this study, women with schizophrenia were treated with estrogen in addition to their antipsychotic medications. Â Adjunctive [...]
In Brief: Yoga as Add-on Therapy for Psychosis in Women With Schizophrenia
An increasing number of studies are using yoga as an adjunctive or primary treatment for a variety of psychiatric symptoms, most commonly depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance. Â A new study, published online in Schizophrenia Research, [...]
In Brief: Â Improving Cognition in Schizophrenia by Modulating the Estrogen Receptor
This article in Psychiatric Times reviews some interesting research which suggests that drugs which modulate the estrogen receptor may improve cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia. Â This is the first study to show that oral [...]
Raloxifene Improves Cognition in Schizophrenia
Several years ago, we reviewed a paper suggesting that estrogen may be a beneficial treatment for women with schizophrenia. Â In this study, patients with schizophrenia were treated with estrogen. Â There was significant improvement in their [...]
Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Schizophrenia
With the advent of the newer, atypical antipsychotic medications, patients with psychotic disorders have been able to achieve greater symptom control with less disabling side effects. For women with schizophrenia, there has also been an increase in fertility rates over the last decade. Previous studies have suggested that women with schizophrenia, as compared to women with no psychiatric illness, are at increased risk for pregnancy and delivery complications, including low birthweight, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm birth. However, most of these studies occurred at a time when the women were treated with older antipsychotic medications, and we cannot assume that these findings are relevant now, when women with schizophrenia are more commonly treated with the newer atypical antipsychotics and have much better control of their symptoms.
Raloxifene as Adjunctive Treatment for Postmenopausal Women with Schizophrenia
A few years ago on our blog, we reviewed a paper suggesting that estrogen may be a beneficial treatment for women with schizophrenia. Â In this study patients with schizophrenia receiving estrogen showed significant improvement in their positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions), but no difference in negative symptoms (reduction in range of emotional expression, poverty of speech, lack of motivation).1, 2Â Â Additional studies have also found estrogen to be effective in improving positive and general symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. 3, 4