psychological perspectives on women's health

Books in-print Psychological Perspectives on Women's Health Edited by Vincent J. Adesso, Diane M. Reddy, Raymond Fleming. 1994.
November 30, 1993

Taylor & Francis, 1101 Vermont Ave., NW, Ste 200, Washington, DC This book contains 12 chapters in 6 parts. The 6 parts are: "Gender, Health, and Aging," "Stress, Coronary Heart Disease, and Cancer," "Body Image and Weight Regulation and Drug Use," "Menstruation and Pain," "Sexuality and Infertility and AIDS," and "Directions for Research in Women's Health." Only the two chapters that make up the "Sexuality and Infertility and AIDS" part will be reviewed. Chapter 10 covers "Sexuality and Infertility." This chapter is an important chapter covering the issues that pertain to a woman's sexuality and infertility. Topics covered which lead into the following chapter on AIDS include sexual behaviors/sexual decisions, effects of power on the sexual relationship, sexual satisfaction, intercourse frequency, and relationship satisfaction, initiation and refusal of sex, stress and moods, infertility, medical treatments for female infertility, in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, gamete intrafallopian transfer, embryo lavage and transfer, surgical treatments, psychological consequences of infertility treatment, and directions for research. Chapter 11 is important and is the reason for including this book for review: "Women's Health: The Impact of the Expanding AIDS Epidemic," by Debra A. Murphy and Jeffrey A. Kelly. As of the end of 1991 more than 20,000 women have been diagnosed with AIDS or 10% of all cases. That percentage since 1991 has unfortunately been growing at an alarming rate. In some areas of the world AIDS is the leading cause of death for women ages 20-40. It is estimated that there are now more than 600,000 cases of AIDS in women in Africa alone. The chapter proceeds to explain the modes of transmission and then discusses the progression of the infection in women. Although the discussion is brief, it is enough to alert any researcher that women are to be studied very carefully and AIDS education has to be directed more to them than in the past. With the increase of women with AIDS, it is only natural that there will be an increase in pediatric AIDS, and there is. The authors discuss this briefly, pointing out the alarming course of the disease in infants. Treatment is covered very well, pointing out that "there are not only medical issues involved in prevention and treatment, but also serious psychological and social issues." The chapter ends as all of the previous chapters end with "Future Research Directions." More research is needed in the following areas: transmission rates of HIV and the factors that influence transmission probability; psychological themes on females with HIV; development of a woman-controlled condom; develop a reliable diagnostic test that can identify HIV infection in early infancy; more focus on prevention interventions; and continue evaluation of women who are diagnosed with HIV so that therapies can be developed for those who are asymptomatic and symptomatic. These two chapters are well written as is the entire book. They alone make it a recommended purchase for all research and academic libraries as well as counselling centers for women. (H. Robert Malinowsky) Women's Health and Hygiene, Clinical Health Psychology, Aging

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Information in this article was accurate in November 30, 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.