Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Provided to Women Diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness: Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives.

Background: Women diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) face increased vulnerability and significant risks to their sexual and reproductive health, an issue that is often overlooked in healthcare systems. Aim: This study aimed to explore the sexual and reproductive healthcare provided to women with SMI, based on the perspectives of professionals specialising in mental health and sexual and reproductive health. Methods: A descriptive qualitative design was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of professionals from community mental health and sexual and reproductive health in Catalonia (Spain). Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Two themes were identified: clinical practice and professional context. The clinical practice theme had three sub-themes: lack of a preventive framework, attention to sexual and reproductive needs, and supporting women in their desire for motherhood and in pregnancy. The professional context theme had four sub-themes: cross-disciplinary coordination, lack of protocols, lack of human resources and time, and lack of training in mental health. Conclusions: Mental health professionals and sexual and reproductive health professionals expressed different perspectives about sexual and reproductive healthcare for women with SMI, pointing to a need for greater training and coordination.