Oversight and Management of Women with Psoriasis in Childbearing Age

Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Jun 9;58(6):780. doi: 10.3390/medicina58060780.

Abstract

Psoriasis is a complex disease with many associated comorbidities, all of which have a negative impact on a patient's personal, social, and sexual life. There are some unique considerations in the effects of this disease among women. The average age of diagnosis in women with psoriasis is 28 years, and this onset corresponds to the fertile life of women. There is conflicting information about the effects of psoriasis on female fertility. Some studies suggest that this condition's associated comorbidities, personal behaviors, and reduced ovarian reserve, especially due to chronic inflammation, affect women's fertility. Another possible reason women with psoriasis are less likely to become pregnant is that their sexual intercourse frequency decreases after the condition's onset. The available information on the effects of pregnancy on women with psoriasis is limited. According to current evidence, most women will experience an improvement in their skin condition. Studies show that patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis are more prone to experience pregnancy complications. The management of pregnant and lactating women with psoriasis is also difficult, as the safety profile of commonly used drugs in patients with psoriasis is not entirely known.

Keywords: biologic agents; breastfeeding; management; outcome; pregnancy; psoriasis; topical/systemic drugs; treatment; women.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fertility
  • Humans
  • Lactation
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications* / drug therapy
  • Psoriasis* / complications
  • Psoriasis* / drug therapy

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.