Reproductive Health Psychology

This volume provides a comprehensive, up-to-date theoretical and empirical background to the psychology of reproductive health.
* Provides a life span perspective of the psychology of reproductive health and its disorders, from menarche to menopause and reproductive health in older age
* Focuses on issues of the individual's reproductive health experience, including reproduction, pregnancy, maternity, and birth, as well as conditions such as PMDD, dysmenorrhea, and events including pregnancy failure, and abortion
* Acknowledges the wider social context with discussions of poverty, inequality, educational and economic status, age, and urban versus rural access
* Addresses life style related factors, human rights to choice, information and access, fertility control and reproductive health regulation and health care services
* Illustrates topics with empirical data supported with tables and figures

This much-needed resource brings together the most up-to-date and relevant research from a variety of disciplines to give a comprehensive account of the psychological factors surrounding reproductive health today.  Olga van den Akker provides a multidisciplinary exploration of all stages of the reproductive life span, from adolescent sexual development through sexuality in old age. The book addresses the psychological impacts of reproduction, pregnancy, maternity, and birth, as well as adjustment to life after pregnancy failure, abortion and childbirth. Each chapter includes key points for health care professionals, and comprehensive reviews of the current literature.   Together, the wide variety of topics form a complete manual that will provide medical practitioners, psychologists, nurses, midwives and other allied health care professionals with a comprehensive theoretical background in the psychology of reproductive health, to illuminate their practices and foster a deeper understanding of their patients.

This volume provides a comprehensive, up-to-date theoretical and empirical background to the psychology of reproductive health. Provides a life span perspective of the psychology of reproductive health and its disorders, from menarche to menopause and reproductive health in older age Focuses on issues of the individual's reproductive health experience, including reproduction, pregnancy, maternity, and birth, as well as conditions such as PMDD, dysmenorrhea, and events including pregnancy failure, and abortion Acknowledges the wider social context with discussions of poverty, inequality, educational and economic status, age, and urban versus rural access Addresses life style related factors, human rights to choice, information and access, fertility control and reproductive health regulation and health care services Illustrates topics with empirical data supported with tables and figures