Menopausal transition and early psychosis: need for individualised care

Menopausal transition represents a vulnerable period for both first and repeated episode psychosis, with important implications for treatment and outcomes. From a retrospective case note service evaluation of patients within a UK NHS Early Intervention for Psychosis (EIP) service, this patient group represents a notable cohort. There is a need for individualised care that include clinician awareness of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic factors when prescribing antipsychotic medication, risk benefit analysis when considering the use of HRT within this group, improved education and good communication and integrated care between GPs and early intervention for psychosis services to improve overall quality of care.