Abstract
Evidence from epidemiological, basic research
and animal studies indicate that estrogens exert protective effects
in schizophrenia. Observations of gender differences in
the onset and course of schizophrenia have prompted exploration
of the effects of estrogen on the central nervous system.
Adjunctive estrogen has been shown to be effective in enhancing
the treatment of women with schizophrenia while in
men, consideration for treatment has been impacted by concerns
of feminising side effects. The aim of this paper is to
provide an overview of different applications of adjunctive
hormones as a potential treatment for symptoms of mental
illness in both men and women. Novel treatment approaches
such as estrogen augmentation, are detailed. Treatment with
estrogen has been limited by potential side effects associated
? the most ominous being breast and uterine cancer. Selective
Estrogen Receptor Modulators may offer therapeutic
benefits for both men and women with schizophrenia without
posing threat to breast and uterine tissue and without
feminising effect. The use of estrogen opens up new possibilities
for both men and women in the treatment of schizophrenia
symptoms. Hormone modulation is a promising area of
treatment for serious mental illness, though an emphasis
should be placed on the hormonal status of women which is
an aspect of psychiatry that is sensitive to the differences between
the sexes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 124 - 128 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |