Top in women’s health: Self-managed abortions rising; treating postpartum depression

More women in the U.S. are having self-managed abortions since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open.

Self-managed abortion methods included the use of herbs, substance use or physical methods that can be dangerous and lead to further complications.

“Our study highlights an increase in attempts to self-manage abortion among the U.S. female population of reproductive age following the Supreme Court’s June 2022 decision overturning federal protections on abortion,” Lauren Ralph, PhD, MPH told Healio. “Specifically, we find that 3.3% of reproductive-age women in the U.S. had ever attempted to self-manage an abortion in 2023, an increase from 2.4% in late 2021.”

It was the top story in women’s health last week.

In another top story, Healio spoke with Jennifer L. Payne, MD, professor and vice chair of research in the department of psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences at the University of Virginia, about educating providers on postpartum depression’s complex symptoms and treatment options.

Read these and more top stories in women’s health below:

Self-managed abortion attempts increased after loss of federal abortion protections

The proportion of U.S. women who reported having a self-managed abortion rose by 1 percentage point after the Dobbs decision removed a federal right to abortion, suggesting people are increasingly relying on self-sourced methods, data shows. Read more.

Q&A: Treatment choice for postpartum depression is a ‘complex decision’

More women and providers in both psychiatry and obstetrics and gynecology are becoming aware of the high prevalence of postpartum depression and treatments available, including recently approved zuranolone (Zurzuvae; Sage Therapeutics and Biogen). Read more.

Abortion clinicians report high moral distress, particularly those in restrictive states

In the U.S., moral distress was high for all abortion-providing clinicians but was twice as high for clinicians practicing in states with vs. without strict abortion laws, according to survey results published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.

Target chronic stressors to reduce preterm birth risk for Black women in US

Chronic stressors, fewer prenatal care visits, premature rupture of membrane and medical risk factors may influence the higher preterm birth rate for Black vs. white women, study findings published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth indicate. Read more.

Unknown, unplanned pregnancy linked to delayed prenatal care

Periods of transition, unplanned pregnancy, no shows or patient cancellations and being unaware of one’s pregnancy were the most common barriers to starting prenatal care, according to a mixed-methods study. Read more.