Depression and Other Mood Disorders Across the Lifespan: Roles of the Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Mood disorders such as depressive or bipolar disorders are more common among women. This review provides the fundamentals of diagnosing and treating mood disorders throughout a woman's lifespan. The etiology of mood disorders is not well-understood, but genetic, social, environmental, and neurobiologic factors play roles. Masked as complaints about insomnia, fatigue, or unexplained pain, mood disorders often lead women to seek care from their obstetrician-gynecologist. They are either treated there or referred to a psychiatrist. Suggestions for approaching affected patients and first-line treatments are described for the obstetrician-gynecologist's consideration.
The Mental Health Traumas of Infertility: Impact and Consequences
Stress is defined as "a state of mental and emotional tension resulting from adverse circumstances." The desire to be a parent is a primordial urge. Many individuals are unable to attain this goal and suffer from guilt, helplessness, and depression. There is growing evidence that infertility can affect the overall quality of life of people. Psychological support and counseling are known to decrease the impact of these negative feelings. This review, as illustrated in the clinical case presentations, highlights the stress associated with this challenge. In each presentation, recommendations are made for assessing and dealing with the ongoing burden of stress.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Evidence-Based Approaches to Screening and Management During Pregnancy and Postpartum
This is a review of the existing literature and guidelines for the screening, management, and follow-up of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, with a focus on major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Physician Personal Well-Being and Resilience: An Action Plan and Sustainable Approach
This comprehensive review addresses the critical issue of burnout among obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs), exploring strategies to enhance personal well-being and resilience. The study examines the personal and professional consequences of burnout, including its impact on patient care and health care systems. It outlines institutional responsibilities and provides practical strategies for creating supportive work environments. Additionally, the review offers guidance on developing personal wellness plans and building individual resilience. By advocating for a holistic approach that combines personal wellness practices with institutional support, the authors present a sustainable model for combating burnout and promoting career satisfaction among OB/GYNs.
More Compassionate Care by Integrating Mental with Physical Well-Being
Preventable Maternal Mortality -Diagnosis and Management of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Maternal mortality has increased over past decades. The majority of deaths are secondary to mental health and substance use disorders, with over 80% being preventable. Screening for mental health should be offered to all pregnant women and should be administered through all trimesters and postpartum. Barriers such as social and cultural determinants and maternity care deserts should be considered and addressed.
Mental Health Aspects of Genetic Screening and Testing in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Availability of genetic testing and screening options has advanced significantly, and increasingly becoming included in obstetric (OB) and gynecologic practices. Advanced technologies have caused genetic screening to become more complex. Genetic screening is recommended for all pregnant patients and is routinely offered in OBs and gynecology. Genetic screening may increase emotional distress, including anxiety and depression. Patients with a negative result have a reduction in anxiety. Patients with a positive screen require additional support. Incorporating a standard practice of clear, objective, non-directive counseling pre- and post-test, with appropriate time to allow for patient decision-making reduces emotional distress.
Mental Well-being in Menopause
The hormonal changes that accompany the transition to menopause are disruptive to most women, and for some, mental health maybe adversely affected. Depressive symptoms and major depression are the best-studied conditions in association with menopause, but anxiety, executive function, and comorbid pre-existing psychiatric conditions all influence the symptomatology that women will experience during this phase of their lives. The epidemiology, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment guidelines for perimenopausal patients are discussed.
Reconsidering the Impact of Race on Maternal Mental Health
Maternal mental health conditions are the leading cause of death for women in the first year postpartum with suicide and addiction overdose deaths accounting for the majority of postpartum deaths. Non-Hispanic Black women are twice as likely as White women to experience perinatal depression. Black women and other women of color report higher rates of feeling mistreated and post-traumatic stress postpartum. Non-Hispanic Black and native women are at higher risk for intimate partner violence and death from homicide. A community-based and culturally appropriate and diverse mental health workforce is important to implementing intervention strategies to mitigate adverse mental health outcome.
Use of Telehealth as an Adjunct to Conventional Mental Health Care
The lack of resources for mental health diagnosis and treatment contributes greatly to maternal morbidity and mortality. Social and cultural barriers, along with the impact of social determinants of health create burdens that prevent mothers from accessing care and treatment. Telehealth care improves access and is widely accepted by clinicians, patients, and their families by reducing need for in person visits, providing privacy, and decreasing costs.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and the Mental Burden Resulting from the Dobbs Decision
The obstetrics and mental health care fields have significant crossover. Women with unintended, undesired, or medically complex pregnancies are at greater risk of adverse mental health outcomes, which have the capacity to create long-lasting and intergenerational ripple effects within their larger family unit. Given the frequency with which women seek pregnancy terminations, the numerous factors that influence care accessibility, and the serious repercussions that stem from insufficient use of evidence-based care surrounding pregnancy termination, women are at risk of experiencing a range of mental health outcomes based on their experiences around pregnancy termination.
Clinical, Psychosocial, and Ethical Consideration in Assisted Reproductive Technology in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ Populations
When evaluating reproductive care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer+ patients, there are multiple factors that must be addressed from a clinician, clinic, and social standpoint. Clinicians should be trained in culturally humble and trauma-informed care; clinics should have intake forms that identify sexual orientation, gender identity, and pronouns. The clinic environment should be inclusive, with all gender or single-stall bathrooms, and patient-facing educational materials that are representative of individuals with diverse partnerships, races, and ethnicities. In order to provide genuine culturally humble care, clinicians must be adequately trained and clinics must be appropriately prepared.
Understanding Mental Health as a Public Health Issue
Mental health disorders impose a significant burden on individuals and society, with far-reaching implications that extend beyond personal suffering to substantial economic costs. Public health initiatives have traditionally focused on conditions like obesity and infectious diseases, but public mental health has only recently received comparable attention. This review explores the critical role of public mental health. The discussion highlights key areas, including the impact of social determinants, the importance of integrated care models, the economic and social consequences of untreated mental health disorders, and the unique challenges faced by women during the perinatal period.
The Impact of Stillbirth on Maternal Wellbeing
Several parents globally face stillbirth, which takes a toll on their mental health and well-being. We would like to discuss the differences between grief and mental health and ways care must be tailored toward the specific needs of the bereaved. Recent research shows that there is a sense of personal responsibility that accompanies stillbirth and pregnancy loss. Feelings of guilt and shame are common in bereaved mothers because their child's death occurred within their bodies. There is a lack of formal training and education that leave clinicians feeling helpless in the face of grief following stillbirth.
Addressing Mental Health in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Oncofertility in Children and Adolescents
Major improvements have been seen in oncofertility care over the last decade. Clinical ethics frameworks support new populations, including children, having access to novel fertility preservation techniques. Oncofertility consultation requires a multidisciplinary approach. Clinicians need to develop competencies in infertility risk-assessment, counseling regarding fertility preservation procedures and alternate family planning options, and managing individualised supportive care needs to minimize medical and psychological morbidity.
Menstrual Equity
Menstrual equity refers to the access to safe environments in which to menstruate, including bathroom facilities and clean water, as well as access to menstrual products that allow for the ability to go to school, work, and engage in life with dignity. Menstruation is a physiologic process, not a reflection of maturity or self-worth. Providers within cultures should advocate that girls should be protected from abuse or shame related to menses.
Contraception in Adolescents
The adolescent care provider has a unique opportunity to provide young patients with appropriate counseling about sexual health and prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. To provide high-quality sexual and reproductive health care for the adolescent, providers must be familiar with the breadth of contraceptive options and their characteristics. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent developments in contraception and to review commonly used contraceptive methods as they apply to adolescents.
Gynecologic Issues in Adolescents with Developmental Delay
Gynecologic care of adolescents with developmental delay (DD) can be challenging. Teens with DD are often seen as asexual and their needs are often not met. The teen and their caregivers need a holistic approach from their providers by addressing all reproductive health needs, including period management, education, sexuality, safety, possible abuse, preventive care, and contraception. This article addresses the special reproductive needs for teens with DD to assist providers to guide teens and families through the pubertal transition and help them reach their unique reproductive health goals.
Addressing Gynecologic Conditions More Comprehensively in a Young Population
A Lens on Cutting-Edge Care in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology