ABSTRACT

The Routledge International Handbook of Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health is the authoritative reference work on important, leading-edge developments in the domains of women’s sexual and reproductive health.

The handbook adopts a life-cycle approach to examine key milestones and events in women’s sexual and reproductive health. Contributors drawn from a range of disciplines, including psychology, medicine, nursing and midwifery, sociology, public health, women’s studies, and indigenous studies, explore issues through three main lenses:

  • the biopsychosocial model
  • feminist perspectives
  • international, multidisciplinary perspectives that acknowledge the intersection of identities in women’s lives.

The handbook presents an authoritative review of the field, with a focus on state-of-the-art work, encouraging future research and policy development in women’s sexual and reproductive health. Finally, the handbook will inform health care providers about the latest research and clinical developments, including women’s experiences of both normal and abnormal sexual and reproductive functions.

Drawing upon international expertise from leading academics and clinicians in the field, this is essential reading for scholars and students interested in women’s reproductive health.

chapter |10 pages

Introduction

part I|2 pages

Menarche, menstruation and menopause

chapter 1|15 pages

Pubertal Development and Menarche

Physiological and developmental aspects

chapter 2|11 pages

Menarche

Psychosocial and cultural aspects

chapter 3|16 pages

The Menstrual Cycle

Its biology in the context of silent ovulatory disturbances

chapter 4|15 pages

The Menstrual Cycle

Attitudes and behavioral concomitants

chapter 5|13 pages

Premenstrual Mood Disorders

A feminist psychosocial perspective

chapter 6|16 pages

Menopause And Midlife

Psychosocial perspectives and interventions

part II|2 pages

Reproductive and gynecological disorders

chapter 7|26 pages

Menstrual-Cycle-Related Disorders

Polycystic ovary syndrome, dysmenorrhea and menstrual migraine

chapter 9|19 pages

Breast And Reproductive Cancers

Genomics and risks

part III|2 pages

Contraception and infertility

chapter 12|14 pages

Abortion In Context

chapter 15|14 pages

Assisted Conception

Fertility preservation, surrogate motherhood, gamete/embryo donation and in vitro fertilization

part IV|2 pages

Pregnancy and childbirth

chapter 16|13 pages

‘Adolescent Pregnancy’ 1

Social problem, public health concern, or neither?

chapter 17|14 pages

Smoking and Pregnancy

Risk factors, women’s experiences and interventions

chapter 18|16 pages

Medical Aspects of Pregnancy

chapter 19|12 pages

Miscarriage

chapter 20|11 pages

The Ultimate in Women’s Labor

Stillbirth and grieving

chapter 22|14 pages

Childbirth and Sexuality

chapter 23|14 pages

Postpartum Adjustment

Psychological aspects

chapter 24|19 pages

Understanding Perinatal Mental Health Problems

Prevalence, risk factors, approaches to prevention, early identification and treatment

part V|2 pages

Sexuality and sexual health

chapter 25|12 pages

Women’s Sexual Health and Embodiment

chapter 27|15 pages

Older Women and Sexual Health

Social, relational and medical considerations

chapter 28|16 pages

Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunction

Psychological perspectives and interventions

part VI|2 pages

Marginalized women’s health

chapter 34|15 pages

Shame, Silence and Secrecy

Migrant and refugee women’s sexual and reproductive health and embodiment

chapter 39|14 pages

Women With Intellectual and Developmental Impairments

Differences not deficits