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Barker LC, Vigod SN. Reproductive Health Among Those with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: An Overview of Considerations Related to the Premenopausal Period, Pregnancy and Postpartum, and the Menopausal Transition, with a Focus on Recent Findings. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2023; 25:793-802. [PMID: 37906350 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-023-01472-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) impact many aspects of reproductive health for women and non-binary and transgender individuals assigned female at birth. In this narrative review, we highlight considerations and recent research related to (1) the premenopausal period, (2) pregnancy and postpartum, and (3) the menopausal transition. RECENT FINDINGS Most recent research has focused on pregnancy and the postpartum period, and specifically on elucidating perinatal risk factors, adverse obstetrical and neonatal outcomes (and modifiable contributors such as smoking), long-term child health, and psychotropic medications (with reassuring results related antipsychotic-associated gestational diabetes mellitus and neurodevelopmental outcomes). Much less recent focus has been on menstruation and menopause, although some research has highlighted the relative worsening of illness peri-menstrually and peri-menopausally. Despite the many important reproductive considerations for those with SSD, many aspects including menstruation and menopause have received very little attention. Further research is needed on how to best support women, non-binary, and transgender people assigned female at birth with SSD throughout the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy C Barker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
- Women's College Hospital, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2, Canada.
| | - Simone N Vigod
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Women's College Hospital, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2, Canada
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Dai J, Gui Z, Fan X, Liu J, Han L, Sun Y, Shen N, Bai J, Liu Y. Effects of psychiatric disorders on ultrasound measurements and adverse perinatal outcomes in Chinese pregnant women: A ten-year retrospective cohort study. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 156:361-371. [PMID: 36323138 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Placental health and serial fetal ultrasound parameters deficits in fetal development in women with psychiatric disorders have yet to be understood. This study aimed to examine the effects of psychiatric disorders on placental health, ultrasound measurements, and adverse perinatal outcomes among Chinese pregnant women. METHODS All the pregnant women with psychiatric disorders who delivered at Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China, between 2010 and 2020 were included. A total of 992 women (716 in the healthy control group and 276 in the psychiatric disorders group) were recruited. Outcomes include maternal and neonatal birth outcomes. Linear and logistic regression models were used to determine the beta (β) and odds ratios (OR) across 2 models after adjusting for multiple covariates. RESULTS For women with psychiatric diagnoses, the mean placental measurements and serial fetal ultrasound parameters, and neonatal birth weight were lower than general pregnant women. After controlling the use of psychotropic medication during pregnancy, women with psychiatric diagnoses showed higher rates of placental implantation abnormalities or placental adhesion (OR = 5.724, 95% CI = [1.805, 15.408]), gestational diabetes mellitus (OR = 3.861, 95% CI = [2.109, 7.068]), anemia in pregnancy (OR = 4.944, 95% CI = [2.306, 10.598]), preterm birth <37 weeks' gestation (OR = 3.200, 95% CI = [1.702, 6.016]), low birth weight (OR = 11.299, 95% CI = [4.068, 31.386]), and neonatal intensive care unit admission (OR = 3.143, 95% CI = [1.656, 5.962]) compared to women in the healthy control group. CONCLUSION Pregnant women with psychiatric disorders were more likely to have poor placental outcomes, more ultrasound parameter abnormalities and obstetrical complications, and a higher risk for adverse birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamiao Dai
- School of Nursing, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaidi Gui
- School of Nursing, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Fan
- School of Nursing, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Liu
- School of Nursing, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu Han
- School of Nursing, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Sun
- School of Nursing, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Natalie Shen
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jinbing Bai
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yanqun Liu
- School of Nursing, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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Law JWY, Chan JKN, Wong CSM, Chen EYH, Chang WC. Antipsychotic utilization patterns in pregnant women with psychotic disorders: a 16-year population-based cohort study. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022:10.1007/s00406-022-01453-1. [PMID: 35792919 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01453-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Despite growing concern about reproductive safety of antipsychotics, there is a paucity of research specifically assessing prenatal antipsychotic prescribing practices for psychotic disorders. This population-based cohort study identified women aged 15-50 years with diagnosis of psychotic disorders, who delivered their first and singleton child between 2003-2018 in Hong Kong, with an aim to examine temporal trends and predictors of prenatal antipsychotic use as well as antipsychotic utilization patterns before and during pregnancy. Data were retrieved from territory-wide medical-record database of public healthcare services. Of 804 women, 519 (65%) redeemed at least one prescription for antipsychotics during pregnancy. Older age at conception (25-34 years: OR 2.12 [95% CI 1.22-3.67]; 35-50 years: 2.52 [1.38-4.61]; 15-24 years as reference category) and antipsychotic treatment within 12 months pre-pregnancy (24.22 [16.23-36.16]) were significantly associated with prenatal antipsychotic use. Second-generation-antipsychotic (SGA) use during pregnancy increased over 16-year study period, while prenatal first-generation-antipsychotic (FGA) use showed declining trend. Overall antipsychotic and SGA use progressively decreased across pre-pregnancy and trimesters of pregnancy. Further analyses on antipsychotic use trajectories revealed that 87.4% (n = 459) of 529 women receiving antipsychotics in 12-month pre-pregnancy redeemed antipsychotic prescription during pregnancy, and 63.4% (n = 333) continued antipsychotic treatment throughout pregnancy. Only 7.5% of the cohort (n = 60) commenced antipsychotics in pregnancy. This is one of the few studies evaluating real-world prenatal antipsychotic utilization among women with psychotic disorders. Future research delineating risk conferred by illness-related factors and antipsychotic exposure on adverse maternal and fetal outcomes is warranted to facilitate treatment guideline development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Wai Yiu Law
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Joe Kwun Nam Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Corine Sau Man Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Eric Yu Hai Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wing Chung Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Brand BA, Haveman YRA, de Beer F, de Boer JN, Dazzan P, Sommer IEC. Antipsychotic medication for women with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Psychol Med 2022; 52:649-663. [PMID: 34763737 PMCID: PMC8961338 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721004591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
There are significant differences between men and women in the efficacy and tolerability of antipsychotic drugs. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of what is currently known about the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antipsychotics in women with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and translate these insights into considerations for clinical practice. Slower drug absorption, metabolism and excretion in women all lead to higher plasma levels, which increase the risk for side-effects. Moreover, women reach higher dopamine receptor occupancy compared to men at similar serum levels, since oestrogens increase dopamine sensitivity. As current treatment guidelines are based on studies predominantly conducted in men, women are likely to be overmedicated by default. The risk of overmedicating generally increases when sex hormone levels are high (e.g. during ovulation and gestation), whereas higher doses may be required during low-hormonal phases (e.g. during menstruation and menopause). For premenopausal women, with the exceptions of quetiapine and lurasidone, doses of antipsychotics should be lower with largest adjustments required for olanzapine. Clinicians should be wary of side-effects that are particularly harmful in women, such as hyperprolactinaemia which can cause oestrogen deficiency and metabolic symptoms that may cause cardiovascular diseases. Given the protective effects of oestrogens on the course of SSD, oestrogen replacement therapy should be considered for postmenopausal patients, who are more vulnerable to side-effects and yet require higher dosages of most antipsychotics to reach similar efficacy. In conclusion, there is a need for tailored, female-specific prescription guidelines, which take into account adjustments required across different phases of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodyl A. Brand
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Yudith R. A. Haveman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Franciska de Beer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Janna N. de Boer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Paola Dazzan
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Iris E. C. Sommer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Toufeili A, Cohen E, Ray JG, Wilton AS, Brown HK, Saunders NR, Dennis CL, Holloway AC, Morrison KM, Hanley GE, Oberlander TF, Bérard A, Tu K, Barker LC, Vigod SN. Complex chronic conditions among children born to women with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2022; 241:24-35. [PMID: 35074529 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Maternal schizophrenia is linked to complications in offspring near the time of birth. Whether there is also a higher future risk of the child having a complex chronic condition (CCC) - a pediatric condition affecting any bodily system expected to last at least 12 months that is severe enough to require specialty care and/or a period of hospitalization - is not known. METHODS In this population-based health administrative data cohort study (Ontario, Canada, 1995-2018), the risk for CCC was compared in 5066 children of women with schizophrenia (the exposed) vs. 2,939,320 unexposed children. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were generated for occurrence of any CCC, by CCC category, and stratified by child sex, and child prematurity. RESULTS CCC was more frequent in the exposed (7.7 per 1000 person-years [268 children]) than unexposed (4.2 per 100 person-years [124,452 children]) - an aHR of 1.25 (95% CI 1.10-1.41). aHRs were notably higher in 5 of 9 CCC categories: neuromuscular (1.73, 1.28-2.33), cardiovascular (1.94, 1.64-2.29), respiratory (1.83, 1.32-2.54), hematology/immunodeficiency (2.24, 1.24-4.05) and other congenital or genetic defect (1.59, 1.16-2.17). The aHR for CCC was more pronounced among boys (1.32, 1.13-1.55) than girls (1.16, 0.96-1.40), and of similar magnitude in term (1.22, 1.05-1.42) and preterm infants (1.18, 0.95-1.46). CONCLUSIONS The risk for a CCC appears to be higher in children born to women with schizophrenia. This finding introduces opportunities for targeted preconception counselling, optimization of maternal risk factors, and intervention to support a vulnerable parent population who will experience unique challenges caring for a child with CCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Toufeili
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - E Cohen
- Dept. of Pediatrics and Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - J G Ray
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - H K Brown
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Health & Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - N R Saunders
- Dept. of Pediatrics and Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - C L Dennis
- St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Nursing, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A C Holloway
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - K M Morrison
- Department of Pediatrics, Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - G E Hanley
- Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - T F Oberlander
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - A Bérard
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - K Tu
- Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; North York General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Western Hospital Family Health Team-University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - L C Barker
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - S N Vigod
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Orsolini L, Sceusa F, Pompili S, Mauro A, Salvi V, Volpe U. Severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) in pregnancy and breastfeeding: focus on second-generation long acting injectable antipsychotics. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2021; 20:1207-1224. [PMID: 33966552 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2021.1928634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Pregnant women and fetuses are more likely than ever to be exposed to antipsychotic drugs (APs) during pregnancy and postpartum period. Second-generation APs (SGA) are increasingly used among women in reproductive age. Key outcomes (i.e., congenital malformations, pregnancy and maternal outcomes, neonatal/infant risks, and developmental/long-term outcomes) following the exposure to APs remain limited in number and size and yield of inconsistent findings overall, particularly regarding long-acting injectable AP (LAI-APs) formulations.Areas covered: The review aims at providing a summary of current knowledge on potential risks and safety profile of LAI-APs during pregnancy and breastfeeding, specifically focusing on SGA.Expert opinion: The management of safety and tolerability of long-acting injectable AP (LAI-APs) is far from having solid scientific evidence. In fact, due to ethical reasons, there is a lack of randomized clinical trials that limits the reliability and generalizability of the available data on LAI-APs safety profile during the perinatal period, being limited in the scientific literature only to isolated case reports. Therefore, it seems to be important for the future pathways to perinatal mental health care, providing a network of specialized clinicians and systematically collecting data of pregnant/puerperal women on oral and/or LAI APs-therapy about mother and infant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Orsolini
- Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesca Sceusa
- Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Simone Pompili
- Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonella Mauro
- Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Virginio Salvi
- Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Umberto Volpe
- Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW A diagnosis of schizophrenia has significant implications for women of childbearing age, pregnant or considering a pregnancy, ranging from sexual health, psychopharmacological treatment, to the occurrence of negative pregnancy and foetal outcomes. We provide a short narrative review of recent papers focusing on these issues. RECENT FINDINGS Although pregnancy rates have been increasing in women with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, they also tend to have altogether fewer pregnancies and fewer live births than women without this diagnosis, and also higher rates of induced abortions.Use of antipsychotics in pregnancy has also increased, and evidence suggests lack of significant contraindications for their use in this period. However, drug levels monitoring may be recommended across the three trimesters, as levels may change in relation to pregnancy-related physiology.Monitoring of physical health is an increasingly crucial issue, given higher risk of gestational diabetes, negative obstetric and infant outcomes in these women. SUMMARY There is an urgent need to generate valid and reproducible research that could help implement appropriate treatment protocols and relapse-prevention approaches, and interventions based on strong pharmaceutical targets for the benefit of pregnant women with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, their families and their children.
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Isohanni M, Jääskeläinen E, Miller BJ, Hulkko A, Tiihonen J, Möller H, Hartikainen S, Huhtaniska S, Lieslehto J. Medication management of antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia—A narrative review. Hum Psychopharmacol 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/hup.2765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matti Isohanni
- Center for Life Course Health Research University of Oulu Oulu Finland
| | | | - Brian J. Miller
- Department of Psychiatry Augusta University Augusta Georgia USA
| | - Anja Hulkko
- Center for Life Course Health Research University of Oulu Oulu Finland
| | - Jari Tiihonen
- Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- University of Eastern Finland Kuopio Finland
| | | | - Sirpa Hartikainen
- Kuopio Research Center of Geriatric Care School of Pharmacy University of Eastern Finland Kuopio Finland
| | - Sanna Huhtaniska
- Center for Life Course Health Research University of Oulu Oulu Finland
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Women with Schizophrenia over the Life Span: Health Promotion, Treatment and Outcomes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17155594. [PMID: 32756418 PMCID: PMC7432627 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17155594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
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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