Reproductive Psychiatry
What Is Reproductive Psychiatry?
Reproductive Psychiatry focuses on the mental health needs of women in relation to their reproductive cycle. This can include supporting women with mood and well-being issues linked to periods, perimenopause, menopause, miscarriage, trying to get pregnant, pregnancy (including unplanned), and post-birth.
As women can go through major hormonal, emotional, physical, mental, sexual, lifestyle, and relationship shifts related to these experiences, it’s natural that their mental health might be affected. Yet sometimes, this isn’t recognized by general healthcare providers.
Luvita’s Whole-Person Care Approach
Jen Buscher specializes in the fields of Reproductive, Perinatal, and Pediatric Psychiatry. Jen believes deeply in the power of psychiatric care combined with therapy and emotional literacy. Jen brings a compassionate, whole-person, and evidence-based approach to this field, focusing on the diagnosis, management, and healing of mental health issues related to the female body. Her goal is to help women manage symptoms in ways that work for them, their values, and their lifestyles.
Healing the Link Between Mental & Reproductive Health
Painful and Complex Experiences: As Jen brings a trauma-informed approach to her practice, she can also support women who have been through painful and complex experiences. These can include sexual abuse, physical abuse, trauma, multiple baby losses, fertility challenges, and long-term reproductive health issues. Jen understands that life experiences can’t be separated from mental or reproductive health, so she gets to know each woman individually, tailoring each treatment plan to her needs.
Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: Jen also supports pregnant and breastfeeding women who are currently on psychiatric medications, helping them to work out a stable treatment plan that’s best for them and their babies.
Unplanned Pregnancies: As over half of pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned, Jen can help women to navigate what is a sudden and huge life change.
Other Reproductive Mental Health Concerns: Jen supports women experiencing the mental health effects of conditions such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), perimenopause, and menopause. She can also help to identify other conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), then refer clients to recommended obstetricians.
Whatever the issue, Jen’s whole-person, evidence-based approach can include the following:
- Nutrition, fitness and lifestyle plans
- Talk therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Genetic testing
- Carefully chosen medicines
Women can experience mental health issues related to reproductive health at any stage of their lives. Luvita offers the specialized support they need to come through these challenges and thrive.
If you believe you or another individual is suffering a mental health crisis emergency, seek medical attention immediately — call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room.
If you are in need of support, but not in crisis, consider reaching out to a warmline. Warmlines offer a place to call when you just need to talk to someone. Speaking to someone on these calls is typically free, confidential, and run by people who understand what it’s like to struggle with mental health problems.
Find a warmline at mhanational.org/warmlines.
