Important teaching for women in their childbearing years who are receiving antipsychotic medications includes which of the following?
A. Occurrence of increased libido due to medication adverse effects.
B. Increased incidence of dysmenorrhea while taking the drug.
C. Continuing previous use of contraception during periods of amenorrhea.
D. Instruction that amenorrhea is irreversible.
Correct Answer: C. Continuing previous use of contraception during periods of amenorrhea
Women may experience amenorrhea, which is reversible, while taking antipsychotics. Amenorrhea doesn’t indicate cessation of ovulation; therefore, the client can still become pregnant. The client should be instructed to continue contraceptive use even when experiencing amenorrhea.
Option A: Libido generally decreases because of the depressant effect. Although women with serious mental illness have high rates of lifetime sexual partners, they infrequently use contraception. Consequently, the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections is high in this population. In addition, while the overall rate of pregnancy in women with schizophrenia of child-bearing age is lower than in the general population, the percentage of pregnancies that are unwanted is higher than that in the general population.
Option B: Dysmenorrhea isn’t an adverse effect of antipsychotics. Contraceptive counseling to women and their partners is an important part of comprehensive care for women with serious and persistent mental illness. Women with schizophrenia who smoke, are overweight, or have diabetes, migraine, cardiovascular disease, or a family history of breast cancer should be offered non-hormonal contraception. Women with more than one sexual partner should be advised on barrier methods in addition to any other contraceptive measures they are using.
Option D: Amenorrhea is reversible, so the woman could still become pregnant. Contraceptive counseling to women and their partners is an important part of comprehensive care for women with serious and persistent mental illness. Women with schizophrenia who smoke, are overweight, or have diabetes, migraine, cardiovascular disease, or a family history of breast cancer should be offered non-hormonal contraception. Women with more than one sexual partner should be advised on barrier methods in addition to any other contraceptive measures they are using.