Wandering Wombs: Menstrual, Maternal and Mental Health

The Ancient Greeks believed that, throughout the menstrual cycle, the uterus floated around the female body causing women to become hysterical (and to practice witchcraft). In 2022, how much more do we know about the links between menstrual and mental health? I'll discuss gaps in our medical understanding, and how we're trying to fill those gaps by conducting research that incorporates a wide range of expertise and diverse voices.

Medicine use during pregnancy is unavoidable for most women and although safe in many cases, it has a checkered past. With rising numbers of women taking antidepressants, some of whom plan on becoming pregnant whilst managing their mental health, it is essential that these medicines are assessed properly for use during pregnancy. Since pregnant women are often left out of drug trials, how do we address safety concerns? I will discuss the pitfalls and solutions to using 'observational' data to answer questions regarding safety of antidepressant use during pregnancy.