Psychiatric Disorders In Women Research Articles

Dorsal CA1 NECTIN3 Reduction Mediates Early-Life Stress-Induced Object Recognition Memory Deficits in Adolescent Female Mice.

Early-life stress (ES) leads to cognitive dysfunction in female adolescents, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain elusive. Recent evidence suggests that the cell adhesion molecules NECTIN1 and NECTIN3 play a role in cognition and ES-related cognitive deficits in male rodents. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether and how nectins contribute to ES-induced cognitive dysfunction in female adolescents. Applying the well-established limited bedding and nesting material paradigm, we found that ES impairs recognition memory, suppresses prefrontal NECTIN1 and hippocampal NECTIN3 expression, and upregulates corticotropin-releasing hormone (Crh) and its receptor 1 (Crhr1) mRNA levels in the hippocampus of adolescent female mice. Genetic experiments revealed that the reduction of dorsal CA1 (dCA1) NECTIN3 mediates ES-induced object recognition memory deficits, as knocking down dCA1 NECTIN3 impaired animals' performance in the novel object recognition task, while overexpression of dCA1 NECTIN3 successfully reversed the ES-induced deficits. Notably, prefrontal NECTIN1 knockdown did not result in significant cognitive impairments. Furthermore, acute systemic administration of antalarmin, a CRHR1 antagonist, upregulated hippocampal NECTIN3 levels and rescued object and spatial memory deficits in stressed mice. Our findings underscore the critical role of dCA1 NECTIN3 in mediating ES-induced object recognition memory deficits in adolescent female mice, highlighting it as a potential therapeutic target for stress-related psychiatric disorders in women.

Family planning decision-making in relation to psychiatric disorders in women: a qualitative focus group study

BackgroundRecent studies revealed an elevated likelihood of unintended pregnancies among women with psychiatric disorders compared to their counterparts without such vulnerability. Despite the importance of understanding family planning decision-making in this group, qualitative inquiries are lacking. This study explored family planning decisions among women with psychiatric disorders.MethodsUtilizing a qualitative approach, three focus group discussions were conducted with purposive sampling: women with a history of unintended pregnancies (N = 3), women without children (N = 5), and women with a history of intended pregnancies (N = 9), all of whom had self-reported psychiatric disorders. Using thematic framework analysis, we investigated the themes “Shadow of the past,” reflecting past experiences, and “Shadow of the future,” reflecting future imaginaries, building upon the existing “Narrative Framework.”ResultsThe Narrative Framework formed the foundation for understanding family planning among women with psychiatric disorders. The retrospective dimension of focus group discussions provided opportunities for reflective narratives on sensitive topics, revealing emotions of regret, grief and relief. Childhood trauma, adverse events, and inadequate parenting enriched the "Shadow of the past". The “Shadow of the present” was identified as a novel theme, addressing awareness of psychiatric disorders and emotions toward psychiatric stability. Social influences, stigma, and concerns about transmitting psychiatric disorders shaped future imaginaries in the shadow of the future.ConclusionsThis study enlightens how family planning decision-making in women with psychiatric disorders might be complex, as marked by the enduring impact of past experiences and societal influences in this sample. These nuanced insights underscore the necessity for tailored support for women with psychiatric disorders.

Leveraging interindividual variability in threat conditioning of inbred mice to model trait anxiety.

Trait anxiety is a major risk factor for stress-induced and anxiety disorders in humans. However, animal models accounting for the interindividual variability in stress vulnerability are largely lacking. Moreover, the pervasive bias of using mostly male animals in preclinical studies poorly reflects the increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders in women. Using the threat imminence continuum theory, we designed and validated an auditory aversive conditioning-based pipeline in both female and male mice. We operationalised trait anxiety by harnessing the naturally occurring variability of defensive freezing responses combined with a model-based clustering strategy. While sustained freezing during prolonged retrieval sessions was identified as an anxiety-endophenotype biomarker in both sexes, females were consistently associated with an increased freezing response. RNA-sequencing of CeA, BLA, ACC, and BNST revealed massive differences in phasic and sustained responders' transcriptomes, correlating with transcriptomic signatures of psychiatric disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Moreover, we detected significant alterations in the excitation/inhibition balance of principal neurons in the lateral amygdala. These findings provide compelling evidence that trait anxiety in inbred mice can be leveraged to develop translationally relevant preclinical models to investigate mechanisms of stress susceptibility in a sex-specific manner.

Psychiatric disorders in women with pelvic floor disorders

Psychiatric disorders in women with pelvic floor disorders

Effect of early postpartum EMDR on reducing psychological complaints in women with a traumatic childbirth experience

This pilot study investigated the feasibility of postpartum Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for improving posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and its association with work absence, relationship difficulties, and development of psychiatric disorders in women with a traumatic childbirth experience who do not meet all criteria for PTSD. A randomized controlled study was conducted among 20 women (EMDR (N=11) vs. care as usual (CAU) (N=9)) who reported a traumatic birth. Outcomes were measured by questionnaires and a semi-structured interview. The results showed improvement of trauma-related psychological complaints for all women. EMDR appears to be more effective in reducing PTSD symptoms than CAU. Moreover, EMDR showed a small positive effect on work absence due to factors related to the traumatic childbirth experience. Results from the questionnaires were substantiated by interviews. However, due to the small size of the study, no statistically significant differences were found. In addition, no differences were found for relationship difficulties and development of psychiatric disorders. In conclusion, women with a traumatic birth experience may benefit from EMDR, even if they do not qualify for a diagnosis of PTSD. This study could be a starting point for future research aimed at early treatment that reduces trauma-related psychological complaints in postpartum women.

Association Between Mental Health and Reproductive System Disorders in Women

Reproductive system and mental health disorders are commonly comorbid in women. Although the causes of this overlap remain elusive, evidence suggests potential shared environmental and genetic factors associated with risk. To investigate the comorbidity between psychiatric and reproductive system disorders, both as broad diagnostic categories and among specific pairs of diagnoses. PubMed. Observational studies published between January 1980 and December 2019 assessing prevalence of psychiatric disorders in women with reproductive system disorders and prevalence of reproductive system disorders in women with psychiatric disorders were included. The study did not include psychiatric and reproductive disorders triggered by life events (eg, trauma, infection, surgery) to address potential confounding. A search yielded 1197 records, of which 50 met the inclusion criteria for the qualitative and 31 for the quantitative synthesis in our study. A random-effects model was used for data synthesis and Egger test and I2 to assess study bias and heterogeneity. Data were analyzed from January to December 2022. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Psychiatric and reproductive system disorders. A total of 1197 records were identified, of which 50 met the inclusion criteria for qualitative and 31 for quantitative synthesis. Diagnosis of a reproductive system disorder was associated with a 2- to 3-fold increased odds of having a psychiatric disorder (lower bound odds ratio [OR], 2.00; 95% CI, 1.41-2.83; upper bound OR; 2.88; 95% CI, 2.21-3.76). The analysis focused on specific diagnoses described in the literature and found that polycystic ovary syndrome was associated with increased odds of depression (population-based studies OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.19-2.45; clinical studies OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.57-4.23) and anxiety (population-based studies OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.36-2.10; clinical studies OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.98-4.09). Chronic pelvic pain was also associated with both depression (OR, 3.91; 95% CI, 1.81-8.46) and anxiety (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.33-4.08). Few studies investigated risk of other reproductive system disorders in women with psychiatric disorders, or reverse associations (risk of reproductive system disorder among women with a psychiatric diagnosis). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, a high rate of reported co-occurrence between psychiatric and reproductive disorders overall was observed. However, data for many disorder pairs were limited. The available literature focused overwhelmingly on affective disorders in polycystic ovary syndrome, overlooking a substantial portion of disease overlap. As such, the associations between the majority of mental health outcomes and conditions of the female reproductive system are largely unknown.

Psychiatric disorders in women hospitalized at the arrazi psychiatric hospital

IntroductionWomen get hospitalized for various serious mental disorders that are gender specific, half of them married with children, the other half single\divorced women stigmatized and marginalized in our society.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to describe mentally ill women admitted into the psychiatric hospital, socio demographically and clinically, highlighting differences, specificities and multiple roles distress deviate with the course of disorder.MethodsThis is a prospective cross-sectional study involving 50 patients admitted to Ar-razi Psychiatric HospitalResultsThe average age is 39years, 41% of them are single, with a low educational level (primary school). 77% of our women are from the urban region, 59% are jobless. 19% of patients in our study have positive family history, 65% of them suffered from schizophrenia. 65% of patients are admitted for schizophrenia, followed by bipolar I disorder 22%, MDD is only represented by 10%. 25% of inpatients deal with a toxic habit, 18,5% abuse nicotine and only one woman have tried quitting. Suicide attempts are closely linked to major depressive episodes of MDD and BID, in patients were already under a combination of antidepressants and anxiolytics for at least 3 months. Psychotic features are observed in most of admitted disorders, 80% in BIP and 64% in MDD. According to HAMILTON-DEPRESSION 62,9% of women are admitted for a severe depressive episode, 30% present anxiety comorbidity and a history of CBT sessions months prior hospitalization.ConclusionsShading the light into admitted women in psychiatry and deciphering specific demographic, clinical and therapeutic features may improve the global care system and women’s adherence to treatment and follow up.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Clinical Characteristics of Hyperandrogenism Include Hirsutism, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and Acne: Association with Psychiatric Disease in Women -A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan.

ObjectivePrevious studies have shown an increased in psychiatric disorders in women with disorders associated with hyperandrogenism, but few nationwide cohorts have studied this phenomenon. Therefore, this study is aimed to examine the association between the clinical manifestations of hyperandrogenism and subsequent psychiatric disorders.MethodsBased on the National Health Insurance Research Database, 49,770 enrolled participants were matched for age and index date between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2015. Hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome, and acne are characterized by hyperandrogenism. After adjusting for confounding factors, we used Cox proportional analysis to compare the risk of psychiatric disorders during the 16 years of follow-up.ResultsOf all the participants, 1319 (13.25%) had psychiatric disorders in the study group, whereas only 3900(9.80%) had psychiatric disorders in the control group. After adjusting for age, and monthly income, the Cox regression analysis showed that the study patients were more likely to develop psychiatric disorders (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.004, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.327–2.724, P < 0.001). The results demonstrated that women aged 20–29 years had a more significant risk.ConclusionWomen with clinical characteristics of hyperandrogenism have a higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders, especially those aged 20–29 years.

What are the Training Needs of Mental Health and other Healthcare Professionals in Women’s Mental Health?

Women’s mental health deals with, but not limited to, various aspects of psychiatric disorders in women, across the lifespan. The differential influence of gender and gender related indirect factors on mental ill-health has been researched and established for at least three decades. However, this topic is seldomly considered to be included in the structured curricula of psychiatric training. Several institutions provide temporary, CME-linked courses and other training opportunities. Yet, in many countries it is not part of a core program, whereas in common mental disorders, it is women who predominate. In this talk, a special focus will put on the training needs of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals regarding women’s mental health, especially perinatal mental health and psychopharmacology during pregnancy and lactation. Another important aspect is the impact of intimate partner violence on the mental (and general) wellbeing of women, which despite being encountered by around 1 out of 3 women worldwide, is still poorly addressed and treated. Some other contemporary aspects such as the mental health of immigrant women, will also be discussed.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Accuracy of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in screening for major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders in women towards the end of their puerperium.

To assess the accuracy of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in screening for severe depression and other mental disorders in women at the end of puerperium. We administered the Czech version of the EPDS to assess depressive symptoms and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview to determine psychiatric dia-gnoses in 243 women at the end of their puerperium. Then, we determined the frequencies of severe depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders in our cohort. Furthermore, we assessed the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and other dia-gnostic variables for the presence of severe depression and other psychiatric disorders for different threshold scores on EPDS. We evaluated the detection potential of EPDS for detecting monitored mental disorders by using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and determining the area under the curve. Severe depressive disorder was present in 2.5% (95% CI: 1.1-5.3%) of women. Any monitored mental disorder was present in 13.6% (95% CI: 9.8-18.5%). The best sensitivity/specificity ratio for detecting major depressive disorder was found for the EPDS threshold score 11; sensitivity was 83% (95% CI: 35-99%) and specificity was 79% (95% CI: 74-84%). The EPDS 11 then achieved a sensitivity of 76% (95% CI: 58-89%) and specificity of 82% (95% CI: 76-87%) for the detection of any mental disorder of interest. Our results showed that the Czech version of EPDS has good internal consistency, and the EPDS score 11 achieves the best combination of sensitivity and specificity values for detecting major depressive disorder. Screening with EPDS in women at the end of puerperium can detect psychiatric disorders other than severe major depression.

Screening of psychiatric disorders in women with high-risk pregnancy: Accuracy of three psychological tools.

PurposeThis study investigated the optimal cutoff points of three psychological tools for screening psychiatric disorders in women with high‐risk pregnancy.Design and MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study (N = 155), sensitivity/specificity of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Brief Symptom Inventory 53‐items (BSI‐53), and the BSI‐18 were computed with respect to having a psychiatric diagnosis based on the clinical interview.ResultsThe usual cutoffs (≥13 for EPDS, T‐score of 63 for BSI‐53) demonstrated poor diagnostic accuracy. The optimal thresholds were computed for EPDS cutoff of 6.5, GSI = 0.47 for BSI‐53, and GSI = 0.5 for BSI‐18.Practice ImplicationsThe use of psychological tools among pregnant women with high‐risk pregnancy may need to be modified in order to accurately identify psychiatric disorders.

Symposium

IntroductionGender is an important factor of mental health and mental illness. The patterns of psychological distress and psychiatric disorder among women are quite different than those in men. Women and men are genetically similar except that different hormones at different time and speed effect different regions of the brain resulting some brain cells to sprout faster than the others at the time of critical brain development. Psychosocial factors like poverty, hunger, malnutrition, over work, domestic violence, sexual abuse and stigma also affect women’s mental health.Differences between genders have been reported in the age of onset of symptoms, clinical features, frequency of symptoms, course, social adjustment, and long-term outcome of mental disorders. Moreover, women have a higher mean level of internalizing disorders than men. While women are at a disadvantageous position when it comes to disorders like affective disorder and Alzheimers disease, but they have a better prognosis when it comes to schizophrenia.Mental health problems starting in female children and adolescents effect the processes of adaptation and functionality into adulthood.According to WHO, depressive disorder account for 41.9% of disability among women compared to males. (29.3%). Prevalence of anxiety disorder, sexual and domestic violence and substance use are also increasing among women across different countries and different settings.CONCLUSIONA gendered perspective of psychiatry holds great promise for more effectively preventing and treating psychiatric disorders in women and it may be useful to view women’s mental health across lifespan for better understanding and management of the disorders.

Perinatal Psychiatry in Context to Women ‘S Health

Introduction: Women’s Mental Health Traditionally focuses on women’s reproductive health,like Puberty,Pregnancy, Menopause now it is expanding to include disorders and conditions more prevalent in femalesthan in males, or different in clinical features and risk factors. Perinatal Psychiatry refers to mental healthissues in antenatal and postpartum period like Antenatal depression, Postnatal blues, Postpartum depression,Postpartum psychosis.Methods: The global burden of psychiatric disorders in women is increasing, especially in the perinatalperiod. We have focused on discussing the impact of culture on the perinatal psychiatric disorders andmanagement principles of different perinatal psychiatric disorders. Health?care delivery in the perinatalgroup of population has been improving over the years, but still there is lot to improve.Conclusion: A scientific and evidence?based approach is a definite need toward attaining this goal.

Sleep disorders and their relationship to other psychiatric disorders in women with breast cancer: a case-control study

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women, impacting 2.1 million women each year. The aim of the study is to determine prevalence of sleep disorders among patients with breast cancer, its correlation with different psychological symptoms and the ability of such symptoms to predict sleep disorders among those patients. The current study is a case-control study compromised of 153 participants, 93 breast cancer patients versus 60 cross-matched healthy control persons recruited from the outpatient clinic of Oncology Department—Assiut University Hospital. Arabic versions of Beck’s Depression Inventory, symptom checklist, and Sleep Disorder Scale were used to evaluate depression, obsession, sensitivity, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoia ideation, psychoticism, and sleep disorders, respectively. The correlation of this data with clinical and social variables of these patients and the effect of such variables on each other were also determined.ResultsA statistically higher prevalence of sleep disorders and depression was reported among breast cancer patients compared to the control group. Also, patients with breast cancer scored statistically higher mean scores in somatization, obsession, sensitivity, anxiety, and phobic anxiety than those of the control group.ConclusionsPrevalence of sleep disorders, depression, obsession, sensitivity, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoia ideation, and psychoticism among breast cancer patients poses a challenge to the treatment of such patients. Misdiagnosis and mismanagement lead to poor treatment outcomes of both cancer disease and psychiatric disorders.

Women health: Psychological and most prominent somatic problems in 3-year follow-up in Bosnian refugees.

Little is known about gender differences among people exposed to war related trauma. Aim of this study is to explore gender differences in health status and comorbidity of mental and physical disorders in a cohort of Bosnian refugees followed up for 3 years (1996-1999). This longitudinal study included 534 subjects followed up for 3 years. The interviews were conducted in refugee camps in Varaždin, Croatia in Bosnian language. Data were collected using Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (Bosnian version) and Hopkins Checklist-25, respectively. Physical health disorders were self-reported. In both assessments there was a statistically significant difference between men and women in the number of physical health disorders, even when results were controlled for educational status. Although there was no difference in total number of symptoms in both assessments (F = 0.32; df = 1; p > 0.05 and F = 1.15; df = 1; p > 0.05), important physical health disorders were significantly more frequent among women than in men in different educational groups, namely high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and anaemia. Asthma, tuberculosis, cirrhosis of the liver, ulcer and epilepsy were more frequent in men than in women. There were no differences in frequencies of psychiatric disorders at baseline, but frequency of psychiatric disorders in women was higher at endpoint for uneducated respondents. There was significant difference compared to men in group of respondents without formal education, but only in comorbidity of PTSD and depression which was more often present in females (22.1%) than in males (3.6%). Our findings indicate the importance of gender and education on mental and physical health of people exposed to warrelated trauma. Long term health monitoring and programs, especially related to women's health are needed in order to avoid lasting consequences.

Psychiatric comorbidities and adverse childhood experiences in women with self-reported polycystic ovary syndrome: An Australian population-based study

PurposePCOS is associated with increased risk for depression and anxiety but its association with other psychiatric disorders is less clear, especially in community drawn populations. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in women with PCOS and examine the factors associated with psychiatric disorders in this population. MethodA cross-sectional analysis of survey data was performed in community-recruited women born 1989−95 from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health (ALSWH). 760 and 7910 women with and without self-reported PCOS were included. The outcomes examined were self-reported depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar affective disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder and other disorders. The main explanatory variable was self-reported PCOS status. Other factors examined included adverse childhood experience scale (ACES), social support, perceived stress, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Chi-square tests were used to examine the differences in prevalence between groups. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess factors associated with psychiatric disorders. ResultsWomen with PCOS reported a significantly higher prevalence of the psychiatric disorders examined, compared with women without PCOS. PCOS was significantly associated with depression (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.4, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.2−1.7), anxiety (adjusted OR 1.2, 95 % CI 1.0−1.5), post-traumatic stress disorder (adjusted OR 1.5, 95 % CI 1.1−1.9) and obsessive compulsive disorder (adjusted OR 1.8, 95 % CI 1.2−2.5). More women with PCOS reported adverse childhood experiences (ACES ≥4: 19.3 % vs 9.2 %) and this was the strongest factor associated with psychiatric disorders (ACES ≥4: adjusted OR 2.9, 95 % CI 2.4−3.5). ConclusionsWomen with PCOS had higher prevalence of various psychiatric conditions and adverse childhood experiences compared with women without PCOS. ACES was the strongest correlate of psychiatric disorders. These findings support PCOS is a reproductive, metabolic and psychological disorder and reinforces guideline recommendations to assess psychological wellbeing for in women with PCOS.

Psychiatric disorders and changes in immune response in labor and postpartum.

Women may present with psychiatric disorders during pregnancy, normal labor, following delivery by caesarean section, or in the postpartum period. The accumulating evidence suggests that these disorders may be due to changes in immune responses. During pregnancy complications such as the prolongation of cervical ripening or descent, placental abruption, premature labor, and preeclampsia increase the risk of postpartum psychiatric disorders. Women may exhibit depression and postpartum psychosis following either normal birth or caesarean section. Since psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder are associated with both alterations in the immune response and changes in immune cell subpopulations, in this study we have chosen to examine whether the psychiatric disorders in women during labor or postpartum also lead to aberrant immune responses.

Psychiatric disorders in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most commonly diagnosed endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, affecting approximately 5-8% of females in this group. It is characterized by hyperandrogenism, abnormal periods (rare periods or amenorrhea) and polycystic ovaries visualized through ultrasonography. The etiopathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome has not been elucidated in detail. There are numerous hypotheses on this subject which tend to complement one another. The most widely recognized hypothesis is that the development of PCOS is due to insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, which subsequently lead to hyperandrogenism. On the basis of an as of yet relatively small number of studies, an increased prevalence of various psychiatric disorders can be observed in women with PCOS. These include: depression, generalized anxiety disorder, personality disorders, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and eating disorders. Bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders have also been reported in women with PCOS more often than in the general population. The higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with PCOS, especially depression and anxiety disorders, may be due to both hyperandrogenism and the resulting somatic symptoms. These symptoms can undoubtedly be stigmatizing for women and lower their quality of life. This article is intended to provide an overview of the literature regarding mental disorders associated with polycystic ovary syndrome and to present own research on depression and sexual dysfunction in this group.

Infection with Trichomonas vaginalis increases the risk of psychiatric disorders in women: a nationwide population-based cohort study

BackgroundTrichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan parasite that causes trichomoniasis and annually infects approximately 276 million people worldwide. We observed an ambiguously higher probability of trichomoniasis in patients from the psychiatric department of Tri-Service General Hospital. Herein, we aimed to investigate the association between trichomoniasis and the risk of developing psychiatric disorders.MethodsThe nationwide population-based study utilized the database of the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme in Taiwan. A total of 46,865 subjects were enrolled in this study from 2000–2013, comprising 9373 study subjects with trichomoniasis and 37,492 subjects without trichomoniasis as the control group. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) of psychiatric disorders during the 14 years of follow-up.ResultsOf the study subjects with trichomoniasis, 875 (9.34%) developed psychiatric disorders compared with 1988 (5.30%) in the control group (P < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of overall psychiatric disorders in the study subjects was 1.644 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.514–1.766; P < 0.001). More specifically, the study subjects had a higher risk for developing an individual psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and substance abuse. Although metronidazole treatment reduced the risk for developing several subgroups of psychiatric disorders, significant reduction was detected for depression only. Furthermore, refractory trichomoniasis (trichomoniasis visits ≥ 2) enhanced the risk of psychiatric disorders.ConclusionsWe show herein that T. vaginalis infection increases the overall risk for psychiatric disorders. The novel role of T. vaginalis in developing psychiatric disorders deserves more attention, and the control of such a neglected pathogen is of urgent public health importance.

Women using hormonal contraceptives show increased valence ratings and memory performance for emotional information

Perception of emotional valence and emotional memory performance vary across the menstrual cycle. However, the consequences of altered ovarian hormone levels due to the intake of hormonal contraceptives on these emotional and cognitive processes remain to be established. In the present study, which included 2169 healthy young females, we show that hormonal contraceptives (HC) users rated emotional pictures as more emotional than HC-non-users and outperformed non-users in terms of better memory recall of emotional pictures. The observed association between HC-status and memory performance was partially mediated by the perception of emotional picture valence, indicating that increased valence ratings of emotional pictures in HC-users led to their better emotional memory performance. These findings extend the knowledge about the relation of HC-intake with emotional valence perception and emotional memory performance. Further, the findings might stimulate further research investigating the interrelation of enhanced memory for emotional events and the increased risk for anxiety-related psychiatric disorders in women.