Psychiatric Disorders in Women: Psychopharmacologic Treatments

Objective: To review the most common psychiatric disorders in women and to address gender-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences in psychotropic medications. Data Sources: Recent clinical literature selected by the author. Data Synthesis: Women have higher prevalence rates of anxiety, mood, and eating disorders than do men, and they are prescribed the majority of psychotropic medications. In general, women experience more comorbid illnesses, have a higher rate of morbidity and disability, and suffer more from reversible drug-induced or medically induced psychiatric conditions. Biological factors such as hormonal and neurotransmitter fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and postmenopause may affect the pharmacokinetics of psychotropic medications. Information is needed about gender differences in the incidence and diagnosis of psychiatric disorders; sex differences in the treatment, response, pharmacokinetics, and adverse effects of psychotropic medications; and safety of psychotropic medications in the fetus and in the breast-fed infant. Conclusion: An understanding of the impact of physiologic, hormonal, and neurotransmitter changes associated with different life phases should provide valuable insight into the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders in women and gender differences in psychopharmacology.