[Cyclic psychosis associated with the menstrual cycle]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Gynecology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Cyclic psychosis associated with the menstrual cycle is an uncommon disorder.
• Its definition and classification within functional psychoses remain unclear.
• This condition presents distinct clinical features compared to typical functional psychoses.

Observation:

• Three female adolescents experienced acute psychosis preceding menstruation, resolving with its onset.
• Psychosis recurred cyclically with each menstrual cycle.
• Medical evaluations revealed no significant abnormalities, except anovulatory cycles in one patient.

Findings:

• Psychotropic medications were ineffective in managing the cyclic psychosis.
• Hormonal treatments, including progesterone and combined estrogen-progestin contraceptives, led to full recovery within several cycles.
• One patient experienced spontaneous remission within four cycles.

Implications:

• Hormonal therapy appears effective for treating menstrual cycle-associated psychosis.
• Potential etiologies include cycloid affective disorder, hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, and anovulation.
• Further research into the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying this condition is warranted.