CLINICAL-FEATURES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA IN A WOMAN WITH HYPERANDROGENISM

Ample evidence supports sex differences in the clinical features of sc hizophrenia. In this regard, estrogen may contribute to later onset an d less severe course of illness in women, Direct investigation of horm onal status in schizophrenia is extremely difficult, The present repor t documents the clinical features of schizophrenia in a young woman wi th long-standing hyperandrogenism related to polycystic ovarian diseas e. We postulate that hyperandrogenism contributed to a relatively earl y onset, olfactory dysfunction, and other clinical features of schizop hrenia more commonly associated with men, Additionally, acute estrogen depletion following cessation of oral contraceptives may have precipi tated psychosis, while recommencement of oral contraceptives could hav e contributed to subsequent improvement in symptoms.