Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41268738›Full record

ArticlePsychological medicine2025

The overlooked link between reproductive system disorders and depression: a cohort study in 2 million women.

Mette Bliddal, Rikke Wesselhoeft, Lotte Rasmussen, Magdalena Janecka, Nina Zaks, Lone Kjeld Petersen, Sofie Egsgaard, Peter Bjødstrup Jensen, Trine Munk-Olsen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Psychological medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Mette BliddalDepartment of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark: Syddansk Universitet, Odense, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-7637-3730
Rikke WesselhoeftChild and Adolescent Psychiatry Southern Denmark, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0001-9700-2739
Lotte RasmussenClinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0001-5962-6647
Magdalena JaneckaDepartment of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-7406-0776
Nina ZaksDepartment of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-6061-5213
Lone Kjeld PetersenDepartment of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark: Syddansk Universitet, Odense, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-1424-6170
Sofie EgsgaardChild and Adolescent Psychiatry Southern Denmark, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0003-4507-5295
Peter Bjødstrup JensenClinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0001-5435-9092
Trine Munk-OlsenDepartment of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark: Syddansk Universitet, Odense, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-0786-7147

Funding

Novo Nordisk Fonden NNF21OC0072397Region Syddanmark A1784Region Syddanmark A5752
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDepression rates are higher in women, especially during periods of hormonal fluctuation. Reproductive system disorders (RSDs), which often disrupt hormonal balance, may contribute to this mental health burden. Despite their prevalence and significant health implications, the link between RSDs and depression remains underexplored, leaving a gap in understanding these women's mental health risks.

methodsUsing Danish nationwide health registers (2005-2018), we conducted a cohort study of 2,295,824 women aged 15-49, examining depression outcomes in 265,891 women diagnosed with 24 RSDs, including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and pain-related diagnoses. For each RSD, age-matched controls were selected. We calculated incidence rates, incidence rate ratios, and prevalence proportions of depression diagnoses or antidepressant use around RSD diagnosis.

resultsAcross all RSD subtypes, women demonstrated higher rates of depression both before and after diagnosis, with a peak within the year following diagnosis. Incidence rate ratios within 1 year of RSD diagnosis ranged from 1.15 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.25) to 2.09 (95% CI 1.98-2.21), depending on RSD subtype. Elevated depression prevalence was observed 3 years before diagnosis, suggesting mental health impacts may have preceded clinical RSD identification.

conclusionsThis study reveals a striking association between RSDs and depression. Women with RSDs are more likely to suffer from depression, before and after RSD diagnosis, highlighting the need for integrated mental health screening and intervention. With over 10% of women affected by RSDs, addressing this overlooked mental health burden is imperative for improving well-being in a significant portion of the population.

Indexed as

DepressionDepressive DisorderEndometriosisPolycystic Ovary SyndromeAdolescentAdultCohort StudiesDenmarkFemaleHumansIncidenceMiddle AgedPrevalenceRegistriesYoung Adultdepressionendometriosisfemaleirregular menstruationmenstrual painmental healthpainpolycystic ovary syndromereproductive disordersreproductive system disorderswomen

Identifiers

PMID41268738
PMCPMC13058623

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.