Women who suffer from schizophrenia: Critical issues

Seeman, Mary V.

doi:10.5498/wjp.v8.i5.125

Cited by 31 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 182 publications

(170 reference statements)

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“…It is an important cause of osteoporosis and has been suspected of contributing to breast cancer risk [23]. Because of gender differences in immunity, the agranulocytosis induced by clozapine is thought to be more frequent in women than in men [24].…”

Section: Gender Differences In Schizophreniamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is some evidence for boosting the dose of antipsychotic medication during periods of lower estrogenic concentration. Alternatively, estradiol or selective estrogen receptor modulators can be added to the drug regimen to reduce symptoms and perhaps also to permit a reduction of antipsychotic dose and, in this way, alleviate antipsychotic adverse effects [24].…”

Section: Gender Differences In Schizophreniamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most women with schizophrenia seen in psychiatric practice are of reproductive age [24,25] and their lives are being impacted by both the illness and its treatment. Menses, sexual relationships, birth control measures, marriage, pregnancy, labor and delivery, breastfeeding and child rearing are all affected.…”

Section: Sexual and Reproductive Health In Premenopausal Women With Smentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The literature agrees that women with schizophrenia after menopause require raised doses of antipsychotics in order to stay well. The advent of menopause may bring extra psychological and medical problems that necessitate assessment, preventive measures, as well as attention to diet and exercise and the prevention of loneliness and isolation [24].…”

Section: Treatment and Health Care Needs In Women With Schizophrenia mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Women with Schizophrenia over the Life Span: Health Promotion, Treatment and Outcomes

González-Rodríguez

Guàrdia²,

Pedrero

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Women with schizophrenia show sex-specific health needs that differ according to stage of life. The aim of this narrative review is to resolve important questions concerning the treatment of women with schizophrenia at different periods of their life—paying special attention to reproductive and post-reproductive stages. Review results suggest that menstrual cycle-dependent treatments may be a useful option for many women and that recommendations re contraceptive options need always to be part of care provision. The pregnancy and the postpartum periods—while constituting vulnerable time periods for the mother—require special attention to antipsychotic effects on the fetus and neonate. Menopause and aging are further vulnerable times, with extra challenges posed by associated health risks. Pregnancy complications, neurodevelopmental difficulties of offspring, cancer risk and cognitive defects are indirect results of the interplay of hormones and antipsychotic treatment of women over the course of the lifespan. The literature recommends that health promotion strategies need to be directed at lifestyle modifications, prevention of medical comorbidities and increased psychosocial support. Careful monitoring of pharmacological treatment has been shown to be critical during periods of hormonal transition. Not only does treatment of women with schizophrenia often need to be different than that of their male peers, but it also needs to vary over the course of life.

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Section: Gender Differences In Schizophreniamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Gender Differences In Schizophreniamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sexual and Reproductive Health In Premenopausal Women With Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Treatment and Health Care Needs In Women With Schizophrenia mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Women with Schizophrenia over the Life Span: Health Promotion, Treatment and Outcomes

González-Rodríguez

Guàrdia²,

Pedrero

et al. 2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Several research groups have tried to delineate and differentiate clinical subtypes found in DD populations [27,28]; a few gender differences have been found among the subtypes. Some gender differences in comorbidity have also been suggested; in women, comorbid psychotic and depressive symptoms after menopause can be attributed to the loss of estrogen [72,73]. Very few studies have investigated gender differences in treatment response in DD populations, although response to antipsychotics appears to be roughly similar in men and women [24].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What We Know and Still Need to Know about Gender Aspects of Delusional Disorder: A Narrative Review of Recent Work

2019

J Psychiatry Brain Sci

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While gender differences in the psychopathology and clinical course of schizophrenia have been extensively reported, the potential for analogous differences in delusional disorder has been understudied. Our aim in this paper is to focus on the recent literature on delusional disorder and to explore gender aspects. This is a non-systematic, narrative and critical review. The review is divided into the following main sections: gender differences in epidemiology, symptomatology, phenotypic factor analyses, psychiatric comorbidity, response and adherence to medications, and clinical trajectories. Culture-bound delusional syndromes are also addressed, and potential causes for gender differences and their treatment are critically discussed. Although DMS-5 reports no gender differences in the frequency of delusional disorder or in delusional content, several studies have found erotomania to be more frequent in women. There seem also to be gender differences in affective and substance abuse comorbidity, which may prove clinically important. The loss of the neuroprotection conferred by estrogens during the reproductive period in women may trigger depressive symptoms after menopause. The interaction of age and gender has been insufficiently studied as is also the case for selective cultural pressures on men and women and their impact on the content of delusions. Studies designed to focus on gender differences in response to treatment are currently needed in delusional disorder.

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