title: Bipolar disorder differences between genders: special considerations for women.
abstract: The objective of this article is to review clinical differences between men and women with bipolar disorder. The secondary objective is to analyze the differences in adherence to medication between genders. Men usually present with manic episodes and have comorbid drug abuse, while women usually present with major depressive episode, the onset is often later, comorbidity of physical pathology is common and adherence to medication is greater than in men. In women who have an earlier onset of the illness and are single, the risk of nonadherence is higher than in other groups of women. There are two time periods that are very important in women: pregnancy and postpartum. Both are critical periods and a relapse or recurrence of symptoms at either stage can have serious consequences for the woman and/or her baby. In addition, the effect of medication on the fetus is unclear. In conclusion, there is a clear need for more studies on gender differences in bipolar disorder and how to improve adherence to treatment. Moreover, a better understanding of how to treat women with bipolar disorder during pregnancy and lactation will undoubtedly lead to improved outcomes for both the mother and her child.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Santiago Apóstol, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), University of the Basque Country, Vitoria, Spain. patricia.vegaperez@osakidetza.net
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Vega
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Barbeito
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Ruiz de Azúa
authors: Mónica
authors: M
authors: Martínez-Cengotitabengoa
authors: Itxaso
authors: I
authors: González-Ortega
authors: Margarita
authors: M
authors: Saenz
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: González-Pinto
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012737:Sex Factors