Estrogens and schizophrenia

Abstract

There is increasing evidence from both clinical and epidemiological as well as basic research that estrogens exert protective effects in schizophrenia. A brief overview of these protective effects will be provided in this chapter and potential therapeutic implications will be discussed. If these effects are confirmed, it could have important consequences for prophylaxis and therapy. For instance, consideration would need to be given to estrogen replacement therapy in periand postmenopausal women with schizophrenia, adjunct estrogen therapy in women with estrogen deficiency syndromes, cycle-modulated neuroleptic therapy in women with frequent perimenstrual relapses, and/or emphasis on prolactin-sparing atypical neuroleptics in women with hypoestrogenism. Further research is urgently needed since direct therapeutic benefits for women might result. © 2005 Springer-Verlag/Wien.