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Review
. 2022 Feb 15;4(1):52-65.
doi: 10.3390/clockssleep4010007.

Hormone Targets for the Treatment of Sleep Disorders in Postmenopausal Women with Schizophrenia: A Narrative Review

Alexandre González-Rodríguez  1 , José Haba-Rubio  2 , Judith Usall  3 , Mentxu Natividad  1 , Virginia Soria  4 , Javier Labad  5 , José A Monreal  6
Affiliations
Review

Hormone Targets for the Treatment of Sleep Disorders in Postmenopausal Women with Schizophrenia: A Narrative Review

Alexandre González-Rodríguez et al. Clocks Sleep. .

Abstract

While the early identification of insomnia in patients with schizophrenia is of clinical relevance, the use of specific compounds to treat insomnia has been studied less in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia. We aimed to explore the effects of melatonin, sex hormones, and raloxifene for the treatment of insomnia in these populations. Although melatonin treatment improved the quality and efficiency of the sleep of patients with schizophrenia, few studies have explored its use in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia. The estrogen and progesterone pathways are dysregulated in major psychiatric disorders, such as in schizophrenia. While, in the context of menopause, a high testosterone-to-estradiol ratio is associated with higher frequencies of depressive symptoms, the effects of estradiol and other sex hormones on sleep disorders in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia has not been sufficiently investigated. Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, has shown positive effects on sleep disorders in postmenopausal women. Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of hormonal compounds on insomnia in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia.

Keywords: delusional disorder; insomnia; schizophrenia; sleep; treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

A.G.-R. has received honoraria or travel funds from Janssen, Lundbeck-Otsuka, and Angelini; J.L. has received honoraria for lectures or advisory board memberships from Janssen, Otsuka, Lundbeck, and Angelini; J.A.-M. has received consultancy and/or lecture honoraria from Sanofi, Pfizer, Servier, Janssen, and Lundbeck-Otsuka.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart for search leading to study inclusion.
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