Effects of estrogen on schizophrenia

An increase in symptoms of schizophrenia has been observed to correspond with decreasing levels of estrogen in menopausal women. This observation has led researchers to propose a link between estrogen and schizophrenia. While the first onset of schizophrenia generally occurs between the ages of 20 and 25 for men, first onset occurs approximately 5 years later for women, with a second peak between the ages of 40 and 45. Animal studies suggest that estrogen acts as a barrier to dopamine receptors, and so may prevent the increase in dopamine found in patients with schizophrenia. However, in contradictory studies, estrogen either increased or decreased dopamine receptors, depending on the duration of the experiment.

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