Reproductive and Maternal Mental Health can include, eating disorders, infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, grief and loss, the spectrum of perinatal mood disorders (including anxiety), perimenopause and menopause, and women with ADHD. All of these issues are wrapped up with the female reproductive system.

For example, having a history of an eating disorder or currently struggling with one can have an impact on a woman’s reproductive system. On the flip side, dramatic drops in estrogen contribute to depression and anxiety disorders during pregnancy and after delivery.

Studies also show that declines in estrogen during menses, postpartum, perimenopause and menopause can exacerbate a woman’s ADHD symptoms. What can be even more devastating is a woman who has lived with ADHD all of her life but has never been diagnosed.

I practice from a bio-psycho-social perspective. I feel it is important to understand how our biology, our psychology (personal world view, upbringing, relational experience, etc.,) and cultural expectations all play a part in reproductive and maternal mental health. I believe that by exploring and paying attention to all three components allow women to fully process their experience and get the support and healing they need.

Below is a package with more information regarding perinatal mood disorders: