Women's Reproductive Mental Health in South Asia: Current Status, Challenges, and Ways Forward

This book will be the first of its kind discussing reproductive psychiatry in South Asia. Reproductive psychiatry encompasses mental health issues surrounding reproductive transitions in different stages of a woman’s life. It includes mental and behavioral problems surrounding menstrual cycle (pre-menstrual and post-menopausal disorders), stress during pregnancy, mental disorders during pregnancy and postpartum period, infertility, loss of pregnancy, sexual health, mother-infant attachment issues and infant mental health. It is an important but neglected domain in low and middle income countries (LMICs) especially in South Asian countries and has wide implications on maternal health, child development, family dimensions, and social contribution. It is a cross-disciplinary segment between obstetricians and psychiatrists demanding a strong liaison. Little is known about the burden and mental health services available for this special population in South Asia.