Summary
A double-blind, 28-day, placebo-controlled study was conducted with three groups of women of child-bearing age (N = 12 in each group) who received standardised antipsychotic medication plus a) 50 μg transdermal estradiol or b) 100 μg transdermal estradiol or c) transdermal placebo. Preliminary analyses show that women receiving 100 μg of estradiol made greater improvements in the symptoms of schizophrenia than either the 50 μg estradiol or placebo groups. The addition of 100 μg adjunctive transdermal oestrogen significantly enhanced treatment responsivity of acute, severe psychotic symptoms in women with schizophrenia. The positive impact of oestrogen treatment on psychotic symptoms via a multiplicity of possible actions (see accompanying articles in this issue) may prove clinically useful in the overall treatment of women with schizophrenia.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Accepted June 2002, Published online September 16, 2002
Correspondence: Prof. Jayashri Kulkarni, Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran. Vic. 3181, Australia; e-mail: jayashri.kulkarni@med.monash.edu.au
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kulkarni, J., Riedel, A., de Castella, A. et al. A clinical trial of adjunctive oestrogen treatment in women with schizophrenia. Arch Womens Ment Health 5, 99–104 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-002-0001-5
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-002-0001-5