title: Psychosocial aspects of selected issues in women's reproductive health: current status and future directions.
abstract: Emphasizing research published in the past decade, this article presents a summary and evaluation of psychosocial investigations of women's reproductive health, with a focus on selected aspects of menstruation, pregnancy and birth, infertility, and menopause. In some areas, studies have focused on negative physical and psychological concomitants of these health issues. However, research reveals substantial individual variability, with most women adapting well to reproductive health changes. Although methodological and conceptual shortcomings have limited firm conclusions, research has advanced our understanding of the multivariate biological, psychological, and social influences on women's reproductive health and associated outcomes. Understanding and promoting women's reproductive health across the lifespan requires biopsychosocial approaches to research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045-2160, USA. astanton@ku.edu
authors.forename: Annette L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Stanton
authors.forename: Marci
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lobel
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sears
authors.forename: Robyn Stein
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: DeLuca
mesh_terms: D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000523:psychology; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology; D016387:Women's Health