Women veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan appear to experience increased mental health problems during and after pregnancy, according to a study published in the Journal of Women’s Health.
The stress of serving in a military war zone combined with the hormonal and physiological changes of pregnancy can bring on or worsen mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Dr. Kristin Mattocks and her colleagues at Yale University School of Medicine analyzed the records of 43,000 women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and had completed their military service between 2001 and 2008.
The research team stressed the importance of helping the at-risk group through the identification and diagnosis of the early symptoms of mental illness in order to provide effective treatment.
"With the increased number of women serving in the military, it is important that we understand their unique health issues such as mental health problems during pregnancy," said editor-in-chief Susan G. Kornstein, MD.
A proactive approach can help prevent worsening mental health, especially since the hormonal and physiological changes accompanying pregnancy can cause or exacerbate mental health problems that already exist.