Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Physically well. * A current DSM-V diagnosis of schizophrenia or related disorder. * 18- 65 years * Able to give informed consent. * PANSS total score between 40 and 90. * Documented normal PAP smear and pelvic examination in the preceding two years. * Stable psychotropic medication for previous 4 weeks * Normal breast screen (for women aged over 40 years) * IQ \> 70 (as determined by the WAIS IV subtests) * English language proficiency (in order to provide informed consent and complete cognitive test battery) Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with known abnormalities in the hypothalamo-pituitary gonadal axis, thyroid dysfunction, central nervous system tumours, active or past history of a venous thromboembolic event. * Patients with a history of severe traumatic brain injury or significant neurological or unstable medical illness such as epilepsy and diabetes or known active cardiac, renal or liver disease; presence of illness causing immobilisation. * Patients whose psychotic illness is directly related to illicit substance use or who have a history of substance dependence during the last six months (with the exclusion of caffeine and/or nicotine dependence). * Women aged 40 or over who have not had a normal mammogram in the last 24 months * Use of any form of estrogen, progestin or androgen as hormonal therapy in preceding 4 weeks including the pill (excluding IUD or Hormone Implants). * Pregnant (HCG will be measured at screening) * Breastfeeding * Planned changes to psychotropic medication or psychotherapy regimen.