Reproductive and sexual health in women with bipolar disorder: a comparative study

Correspondence: Nur Elcin Boyacioglu, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Midwifery Demirkapi Caddesi, Karabal Sokak, Bakirköy Ruh ve Sinir Hastalıkları Hastanesi Bahcesi ici 34740 Bakirkoy, Istanbul, Turkey Phone: +90 212660-1125/40136 E-mail: bdrgl_nr@hotmail.com Received: September 03, 2018; Revised: October 10, 2018; Accepted: November 15, 2018 ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the reproductive and sexual health problems of female patients with bipolar disorder. Method: This cross-sectional descriptive and comparative study was conducted with 358 female patients with bipolar disorder and a healthy control group (n=346). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and a questionnaire, which was prepared by the researchers based on the literature and designed to determine the reproductive and sexual health issues among the participants. Results: It was determined that the bipolar disorder group had no previous knowledge about menarche and did not menstruate regularly. Compared to the healthy controls, they also experienced more premenstrual problems, masturbated more, had more sexual partners and had more sexually transmitted diseases. Unplanned pregnancy and abortion rates reported more in bipolar group. Moreover, bipolar disorder group reported not to have mammograms and gynecological examinations as required. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that female patients with bipolar disorder had more reproductive and sexual health related problems than those healthy controls.