Comparing current practices of screening for pregnancy and contraceptive use in female veterans of child-bearing age prescribed psychotropic medications in a mental health versus a women's health clinic

Abstract

Pregnancy screening and contraceptive counseling are essential components of treating female patients with psychiatric illness to avoid placing the mother or fetus at risk if pregnancy occurs during treatment. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate current practices for pregnancy and contraception screening in female veteran patients prescribed psychotropic medications at a Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense (VA/DoD) facility.