Bipolar Disorder in Women |
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| Authors: | Laura J. Miller Nafisa Y. Ghadiali Elizabeth M. Larusso Kelly J. Wahlen Orit Avni-Barron Leena Mittal |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychiatry, Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, USA Laura.Miller8@va.gov;3. Department of Psychiatry, Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, USA;4. Allina Mental Health, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA;5. Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA;6. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;7. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;8. Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Brookline, Massachusetts, USA |
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| Abstract: | This article summarizes research pertinent to the clinical care of women with bipolar disorder. With bipolar disorder, female gender correlates with more depressive symptoms and different comorbidities. There is a high risk of symptom recurrence postpartum and possibly during perimenopause. Women with bipolar disorder have increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancies, excessive weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Mood stabilizing medications, specific psychotherapies, and lifestyle changes can stabilize mood and improve functioning. Pharmacologic considerations include understanding interactions between mood stabilizing medications and contraceptive agents and risks and benefits of mood stabilizing medication during pregnancy and lactation. |
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