Trauma and female reproductive health across the lifecourse: motivating a research agenda for the future of women’s health
Alexandra Hillcoat, Jaya Prakash, Leah J. Martin, Yu Zhang, Gabriela Silveira da Rosa, Henning Tiemeier, Nicole S. Torres, Vicente Mustieles, Charleen D. Adams, Carmen Messerlian
Abstract
The aetiology behind many female reproductive disorders is poorly studied and incompletely understood despite the prevalence of such conditions and substantial burden they impose on women's lives. In light of evidence demonstrating a higher incidence of trauma exposure in women with many such disorders, we present a set of interlinked working hypotheses proposing relationships between traumatic events and reproductive and mental health that can define a research agenda to better understand reproductive outcomes from a trauma-informed perspective across the lifecourse. Additionally, we note the potential for racism to act as a traumatic experience, highlight the importance of considering the interaction between mental and reproductive health concerns, and propose several neuroendocrinological mechanisms by which traumatic experiences might increase the risk of adverse health outcomes in these domains. Finally, we emphasize the need for future primary research investigating the proposed pathways between traumatic experiences and adverse female reproductive outcomes.