%0 Journal Article
%T The Effects of Antipsychotics on Prolactin Levels and WomenĄŻs Menstruation
%A S. I. Bargiota
%A K. S. Bonotis
%A I. E. Messinis
%A N. V. Angelopoulos
%J Schizophrenia Research and Treatment
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/502697
%X Introduction. Typical and atypical antipsychotic agent is currently used for treatment in the majority of patients with psychotic disorders. The aim of this review is to assess antipsychotic induced hyperprolactinaemia and the following menstrual dysfunction that affects fertility, quality of life, and therapeutic compliance of women. Method. For this purpose, Medline, PsychInfo, Cochrane library, and Scopus databases were accessed, with a focus on the publication dates between 1954 and 2012. Research of references was also performed and 78 studies were retrieved and used for the needs of this review. Results. A summary of several antipsychotics as well as frequency rates and data on hyperprolactinaemia and menstrual disorders for different agent is presented. Conclusion. Diverse prevalence rates of hyperprolactinaemia and menstrual abnormalities have been found about each medication among different studies. Menstruation plays an important role for women, thus, understanding, careful assessment, and management of hyperprolactinaemia could enhance their lives, especially when dealing with women that suffer from a psychotic disorder. 1. Introduction Acute psychotic episodes as well as psychotic relapses are treated effectively with antipsychotic drugs. Most patients with confirmed diagnoses of psychiatric disorders need to undergo antipsychotic drug therapy throughout their whole lives [1, 2]. Typical antipsychotic medications and some of the novel antipsychotics frequently cause an elevation of plasma prolactin levels. Among the several side reactions related with hyperprolactinaemia, are menstrual disorders such as amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea which have not been adequately evaluated. Menstrual dysfunction can be an important source of distress for women, as it influences their libido and fertility [1] and, thus, interferes with their quality of life, a consequence that should be taken into account by clinicians when antipsychotic treatment for each woman is chosen. This review aims to summarize the effects of antipsychotic agents on prolactin levels and menstruation and investigate the frequency of hyperprolactinaemia and menstrual abnormalities that affect female patients, depending on the selected antipsychotic therapy. It also indicates the need for further research on these adverse effects, the severity of which is not always reported in a clinically meaningful way to experts. 2. Background 2.1. How Do Antipsychotics Lead to Hyperprolactinaemia? A great number of studies have investigated antipsychotic medication and its important effects on human
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/schizort/2013/502697/