Antipsychotics and women: Yes, prolactin is important

Abstract

Introduction

The hormonal imbalance produced by antipsychotics can be detected by symptoms, such as: infertility, acne, hirsutism, sexual dysfunction and galactorrhea. We consider especially important the study of women's diseases, which may develop due to hyperprolactinemia, specifically: breast cancer, endometrial cancer and osteoporosis.

Objective

To undertake a systematic review about the relationship between hyperprolactinemia as a result of the treatment with antipsychoticsand endometrial and breast cancer.

Method

An exhaustive search was performed on PUBMED and COCHRANE (from 2006 to 2015).

Fifteen papers were selected including comparative studies, clinical trials and clinical reviews.

Results

With respect to endometrial carcinoma, there is no direct relationship with the use of antipsychotics. However, most papers have suggested that the blood prolactin elevation is a risk factor in the development of endometrial engrossment, which could lead to endometrial hyperplasia, polyps and endometrial cancer. Related to the use of antipsychotics as a treatment for schizophrenic women and breast carcinoma, a significant association was found and this association is strengthened through the interaction of other factors like the fact that women with schizophrenia are less worried about going to the clinical screening reviews in their health centre, smoking, and lower physical activity than healthy women.

Conclusions

Aripiprazolis associated with a low prevalence of hyperprolactinemia. Menopausal women, the obese, and women who smoke receiving antipsychotics that produce hyperprolactinemia have the greatest risk of developing endometrial pathology. Schizophrenic women with hyperprolactinemia due to antipsychotics and loss of motivation to go to screening activities have a greater risk of breast cancer. Sexual dysfunction could be a non-adherence treatment factor.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.