[Improving care for women with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders]

Background   Women with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (SSD) have a better clinical profile than men at the start of their illness but lose this advantage within the first few years of living with SSD. There are benefits to be gained across different areas in the care currently offered to women with psychosis. Aim   To describe point of improvement in the care for women with SSD. Method   Review or relevant literature. Results   An important point for improvement is the early detection of female-specific signs of a first episode of psychosis, to shorten the duration of untreated psychosis, with prompt access to early intervention services. Special attention should be paid to sexual health, and to any history of childhood trauma. Antipsychotics clearly require dosing and prescription tailored to the female body, considering hormonal life phases such as menopause. Switching to prolactin-sparing medications can benefit both mental and somatic health. Finally, hormone replacement therapy should be considered for postmenopausal women. Conclusion   By providing female-specific care, women with SSD can live up to their full potential.