Risperidone-Induced Amenorrhea in Floridly Psychotic Female

Abstract

Despite the high prevalence of hyperprolactinemia in patients receiving antipsychotic medications, its side effects are often neglected. In patients receiving risperidone, the incidence of menstrual abnormalities is relatively small. Our patient was a 44-year-old, Haitian female whose total course of hospitalization was nine months, during most of which she remained floridly psychotic with low cognitive function with waxing and waning symptoms. She developed hyperprolactinemia and amenorrhea on risperidone. She was treated and discharged to the state mental hospital. Menstrual abnormalities cause psychological distress in women. In women, hyperprolactinemia can cause sexual and reproductive dysfunction. Chronic hyperprolactinemia can predispose to osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Clinicians should be vigilant about the consequences when prescribing medications for women, particularly those suffering from a psychotic disorder.