What is Reproductive Psychiatry?
Reproductive Psychiatry is the treatment of mental illness during reproductive transition periods, such as infertility, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and perimenopause.
The field of reproductive psychiatry recognizes that many people go through significant changes in their bodies because of reproduction and reproductive transitions. It is incredibly common for these physical changes to cause mental distress. At Mindful Health Solutions, our providers can guide you through your transition and find a path that works best for you.
How can we help you?
of the population will experience something that fits into the category of reproductive psychiatry at some point in their lives
Who is Reproductive Psychiatry for?
Reproductive psychiatry is for any existing or new patient of Mindful Health Solutions experiencing mental health concerns related to pregnancy, postpartum, fertility, menopause, or any other hormonal changes related to reproduction, including:
- Any person with a uterus, ovaries, vagina, etc.
- Any of MHS’ female identifying patients may need reproductive psychiatry expertise at some point
- Transgender men
- Nonbinary/genderqueer individuals
Mental health concerns surrounding reproduction are common. While most patients see an OB/GYN for primary care, many OB/GYN providers are not adequately trained to assess and treat common psychiatric conditions.
20%
Around 20% of postpartum individuals will develop postpartum depression or anxiety disorders
40%
Up to 40% of people experiencing infertility meet the criteria for a diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety
50%
Up to 50% of people with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) may experience depression and/or anxiety
What common problems does Reproductive Psychiatry address?
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), which impact people during pregnancy and during the first year postpartum
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which is a disorder where very severe PMS symptoms can result in mood changes
Depression and/or anxiety related to fertility, menopause, and/or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
ADHD and/or bipolar disorder management before, during, and after pregnancy
Your path to treatment
Treatment plans are customized to each individual patient and may include medication management, psychotherapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and/or esketamine nasal spray when appropriate. Our talented team of clinicians and support staff is dedicated to working with patients collaboratively to find a treatment plan that works for them. Our goal is to help patients find relief in a way that feels good and that works with their transitioning bodies.
Get started
1
Contact Mindful Health Solutions or get referred to schedule a consultation.
Match with a provider
2
Be matched with a highly trained provider to help with your specific needs.
Determine treatment
3
Your provider will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Begin treatment
4
Start treatments on your terms with our flexible scheduling
Feel better
5
We'll continue to work closely with you to help you feel like your best self.
Why Mindful Health Solutions?
Mental health conditions surrounding reproduction are extremely common. However, most primary care physicians and other mental health service providers aren’t adequately trained in how to balance a patient’s mental well-being with the changes that are happening within their body.
Mindful Health Solutions offers affordable, evidence-based reproductive psychiatry services. Within our Reproductive Psychiatry program, we have skilled and experienced psychiatrists who specialize in reproductive and women’s mental health who collaborate with the patient to find a treatment plan that is right for their unique situation. Together, our providers work to remain up to date on the standard of care, ensuring that patients get the best quality of treatment possible.
Overall, we understand the importance of patient-centered care and understand that one size does not fit all when it comes to mental health treatment. Patients respond well to the dynamic menu of treatments we offer, which includes traditional medication management and psychotherapy as well as cutting-edge alternatives.
Mindful Health Solutions also wants to make treatment comfortable and accessible. If patients are unable to physically come into the office or prefer a virtual appointment, Mindful Health Solutions offers telepsychiatry. This allows patients to get care from wherever they are in the state. We also foster a strong culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our therapists strive to embody a sense of awareness, respect, and humility with regard to cultural differences. And last but not least, we accept most major insurances.
How can we help you?
You may also call (844) 867-8444. If this is a medical emergency, please dial 911. If you are a new patient, click here.
Reproductive Psychiatry FAQs
How does reproductive health affect mental health?
Reproductive psychiatry is the intersection between reproductive health and psychiatry. It is one of the lesser-known and practiced specialties of psychiatry. However, “50% of the population will experience something that fits into the category of reproductive psychiatry at some point in their lives,” according to our Reproductive Psychiatry Program Director, Dr. Bamgbose.
Mental health concerns surrounding reproduction are common. While most patients see an OB/GYN for primary care, many OB/GYN providers are not adequately trained to assess and treat common psychiatric conditions.
What do reproductive psychiatrists do?
Reproductive psychiatry mainly focuses on hormone changes because these hormones can exacerbate conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other mood disorders that already occur. These hormones can also increase the symptoms around times of hormonal changes. Additionally, these hormonal changes can cause these conditions for those who don’t have them already.
To break it down into numbers:
- 8% of people who menstruate experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
- Around 20% of postpartum individuals will develop postpartum depression or anxiety disorders.
- Up to 40% of people experiencing infertility meet the criteria for a diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety.
- 5-10% of people who menstruate meet the criteria for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Of them, up to 50% may experience depression and/or anxiety.
Ultimately, this form of psychiatry is important because it can help so many people understand and find relief for the mental health conditions they are experiencing.
What is PMDD?
PMDD is considered a severe form of PMS and the symptoms that come along with it. During the same time that one may experience PMS, they’ll experience cases of severe anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, and even suicidal thoughts.
Whereas someone may experience these cases on a minor scale with PMS, symptoms of PMDD can be debilitating during those two weeks someone experiences them. People with PMDD find it hard or impossible to go to work or school. They may begin getting into arguments with loved ones. It is difficult to live their lives due to new or worsening mental health symptoms.
However, with PMDD, once the person starts their period, it is like a switch is flipped. The specific conditions brought on by PMDD are alleviated. Existing mental health conditions are in their normal state, and those without them regularly feel more like themselves again.
