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. 2023 Jul 23:16:100194.
doi: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100194. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Improving rigor through gender inclusivity in reproductive psychiatric science

Jessica R Peters  1 , Allison Stumper  1 , Katja M Schmalenberger  2 , Andy J Taubman  3 , Tory A Eisenlohr-Moul  2
Affiliations

Improving rigor through gender inclusivity in reproductive psychiatric science

Jessica R Peters et al. Compr Psychoneuroendocrinol. .

Abstract

Accurately defining the individuals that research involves and generalizes to is critical for rigorous and reproducible science. In reproductive psychiatry, which historically focuses on the impact of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause on mental health, this means moving beyond characterizing samples and relevant populations as "women" in favor of language that precisely identifies the physiological characteristics pertinent to the research being conducted and accurately reflects the varied genders represented in those populations. Concrete recommendations are provided for precise use of sex and gender terminology and gender inclusivity throughout the scientific process, including study conceptualization, etiquette in research environments, recruitment, methods, and dissemination. Recommendations are discussed in depth and presented in a checklist format for ease of use by research teams. Suggested items for assessing gender and relevant sex-related physiology in the context of reproductive psychiatry are also provided.

Keywords: Gender; Gender terminology; Menopause; Menstruation; Pregnancy; Reproducible science; Reproductive psychiatry; Reproductive science; Sex.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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