background Menstrual disorders are common among women with schizophrenia, particularly when they are being treated with antipsychotics. The occurrence of menstrual disorders is often attributed to the use of prolactin-elevating antipsychotics, although menstrual disorders also occur in patients not using antipsychotics. Therefore we need to find out whether menstrual disorders in schizophrenia are drug-related or whether they have some other connection with schizophrenia.
aim To identify and discuss studies that investigate the relationship between antipsychotics-induced hyperprolactinemia and menstrual disorders in women with schizophrenia.
method We reviewed the literature systematically using PubMed, Psycinfo and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.
results Very few studies have investigated the connection between antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia and menstrual disorders and most have serious methodological limitations. Only one study was able to demonstrate such a connection.
conclusion On the basis of current research no firm conclusions can be drawn about the relationship between the increased frequency of menstrual disorders in women with schizophrenia and elevated prolactin levels resulting from the use of antipsychotics.