Menstrual psychosis - From myth to reality: A case report of periodic psychotic symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle.

Abstract

Menstrual psychosis is characterised by the acute onset of psychotic, mood or behavioural symptoms during certain stages of the menstrual cycle. By definition, these symptoms exhibit in a relapsing-and-remitting pattern in concordance with the menstrual cycle.1 Menstrual psychosis is not considered a ‘specific disease entity’ in the current standard classification of mental health disorders. However, the temporal relationship between the onset and remission of the symptoms of menstrual psychosis to specific stages of the menstrual cycles has prompted many experts to regard menstrual psychosis as a unique disorder.2 In his monograph ‘Psychosis Menstrualis’, Krafft-Ebing first described and classified menstrual psychosis in 1878.3 Many case reports have been published and enriched the scientific literature about this disorder.4,5,6