Bipolar Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bipolar, including details on bipolar disorder, symptoms, treatment, depression, medication.

Is the perimenopause a time of increased risk of recurrence in women with a history of bipolar affective postpartum psychosis? A case series.

Robertson Blackmore E, Craddock N, Walters J, Jones I

Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, U.S.A..

There is increasing awareness of the influence of female reproductive life events on the course of bipolar disorder. Here, we describe the case histories of 5 women diagnosed with postpartum psychosis who subsequently experienced major mood disorders in relation to the perimenopause. This case series suggests that (a) the perimenopause may be a time of increased risk for women who experienced postpartum bipolar episodes and (b) periods of hormonal change represent a major trigger for bipolar episodes in some women.

Published 4 March 2008 in Arch Womens Ment Health, 11(1): 75-8.
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