Menstrual disturbances during electroconvulsive therapy:  the forgotten adverse effect: case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
A transient but robust increase in prolactin levels during and after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been shown repeatedly. Reports on menstrual disturbances during a course of ECT are scarce.


METHODS
The case of a woman treated with ECT for depression that developed menstrual disturbances early in the course of the treatment is presented. We conducted a PubMed literature search, supplemented with an Internet (Google) search using the same strategy, and a hand search of the indexes of textbooks on ECT.


RESULTS
Publications on the emergence of menstrual disturbances during ECT are virtually nonexistent, although some textbooks mention amenorrhea as a possible adverse effect of ECT. The mechanism of ECT-related amenorrhea is unknown but is supposed to be related to the transient hyperprolactinemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Electroconvulsive therapy can cause menstrual disturbances. These adverse effects are benign and transient. The exact mechanism remains unknown. More research could help to clarify the possible role of a transient but robust hyperprolactinemia.
Department of Mood Disorders, University Psychiatric Center, Catholic University Leuven, Campus Kortenberg, Kortenberg, Belgium. pascal.sienaert@uc-kortenberg.be
Pascal A
PA
Sienaert
Ineke
I
Geeraerts
D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000209:etiology; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000209:etiology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D013782:Textbooks as Topic
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D011388:Prolactin