Researchers recently conducted a meta-analysis in a study that was published in the journal JAMA Network Open to examine the co-occurrence of reproductive and mental illnesses in women.
Female reproductive and mental health disorders frequently coexist; however, it is unclear what specifically causes this co-occurrence. The menstrual cycle and non-intrinsic or external factors that affect the reproductive system, such as psychotropic medications, psychosocial factors like reproductive disorders that affect relationships, and stress are among the most likely causes. Additionally, the overlap can have genetic roots.
Researchers identified a link between female reproductive and psychological functioning in the current meta-analysis.
The PubMed database was searched for observational-type and peer-reviewed studies (population-level cross-sectional and case-control studies) evaluating the prevalence of mental health disorders among females with genital tract dysfunction and reproductive disorders among women with mental dysfunction, published from January 1980 to December 2019. The study populations included reproductive-age females aged between 13.0 and 55.0 years.
Female female mental and reproductive diseases were the main study measures and outcomes. Data analysis was done from January through December of 2022. The odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using random-effects modeling. Additionally, the included studies’ heterogeneity and bias were evaluated using I2 statistics and the Egger test, respectively.
Psychotic disorders were among the psychiatric conditions.
