Cyclical Premenstrual Psychosis - Sometimes It Is Your Hormones

Abstract

Background: Menstrual psychosis is a broad term used to describe a number of disorders characterized by the acute onset of psychotic symptoms with brief duration, complete resolution of symptoms between episodes, with timing related to menses. This entity was first described in the 18th century, with only 27 confirmed cases using strict diagnostic criteria. While research into causation is limited, estrogen withdrawal is thought to precipitate psychotic symptoms. We describe a case of premenstrual psychosis successfully treated with use of transdermal hormonal contraception and extended menstrual cycling. Clinical Case: A 25-year-old non-binary biologic female (they/them/theirs) with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and psychogenic non-epileptiform seizures was referred to endocrinology for evaluation of recurrent psychotic symptoms associated with menses. They endorsed stable mental health symptoms on aripiprazole except during the seven days prior to their menstrual cycle. During this time they reported persistent auditory hallucinations along with dysmenorrhea, with symptoms resolving at the onset of menses. Timing of menarche was uncertain, however they reported oligomenorrhea until beginning oral contraceptives at age nineteen, after which they developed regular monthly cycles accompanied by psychotic symptoms. Pituitary and ovarian hormone levels were unable to be assessed due to hormonal contraception. Prolactin was 8.3 ng/mL (3-30 ng/mL). In order to limit hormonal fluctuations from daily oral contraceptive pills and monthly withdrawal, the decision was made to transition to transdermal norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol patches changed weekly, with extended cycling to allow one menstrual cycle every three months. At follow-up visit nine months later they reported resolution of auditory hallucinations on this regimen, with symptoms recurring only during extreme stress. Conclusions: While the etiology of menstrual psychosis is unclear, described treatments include a combination of neuroleptics and hormonal therapy, including estrogen, progesterone, and GnRH agonists. As symptoms did not resolve until suppression of monthly menstrual cycles, this case supports the estrogen withdrawal hypothesis. Our case adds to the literature both in that transdermal, rather than oral or injectable therapy was used, and treatment was successful in alleviating the patient’s psychotic symptoms, improving their mental health and quality of life.