The role of hormone imbalance in development of neuroleptic-induced menstrual disorders in female patients with schizophrenia
Compared was the dynamics of prolactin, estradiol and testosterone concentrations in female patients taking either atypical antipsychotics or conventional antipsychotic haloperidol for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Demonstrated were the specific effects of each of the studied medications on the metabolism of sex hormones and prolactin. Altered estradiol-to-testosterone ratio promotes the development of menstrual disorders. Decreased estradiol level and, to a lesser extent, altered prolactin level contribute to elevated testosterone level in female patients.