Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are essential fatty acids for the human body. Seafood and microalgae are the most important sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Supplementation with 200 mg/day of DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding has been suggested for women and infants in countries with low seafood consumption. Maternal concentration of DHA and EPA was associated with concentration in cord blood and breast milk. High concentrations of DHA and EPA were identified at the level of retinal photoreceptors and neuronal cell membranes. It was observed that supplementation with DHA and EPA during pregnancy had beneficial effects on the neurological development of the fetus and infant by improving language, memory, attention, and hand coordination, affecting sleep patterns, and improving visual acuity. Beneficial effects on the development of the infant were also associated with the maternal intake of omega-3 fatty acids during breastfeeding. Supplementation with DHA and EPA may reduce the risk of preterm birth but also of preeclampsia in low-risk pregnancies. Women of childbearing age should have an intake of 250 mg/day of DHA + EPA from their diet or supplements. To reduce the risk of premature birth, pregnant women must additionally receive at least 100–200 mg of DHA every day. It is recommended that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids starts before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Beneficial effects on the mother have been identified, such as the reduction of postpartum depression symptoms, the decrease of cardiovascular risk, and the anti-inflammatory role.

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue, that leads to dysmenorrhea, painful intercourse and infertility. The shift in paradigm from the previous belief that endometriosis exclusively impacts women of reproductive age has brought attention to the condition in both premenarchal and postmenopausal women. Currently, 2–4% of postmenopausal women have endometriosis. Many women experience menopausal symptoms during the peri- and postmenopausal periods and require extensive investigations and monitoring in order to avoid the recurrence of endometriosis symptoms or the risk of malignant transformation when treatment with menopausal hormones is elected. Our goal was to compile and present a clear and concise overview of the existing literature on postmenopausal endometriosis, offering an up-to-date and precise summary of the available information.

Cancer during pregnancy presents considerable challenges that arise from various factors, including the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications of managing cancer in this unique patient population. There is a crucial need for an integrated approach that aligns medical interventions for both the pregnant patient and the developing embryo or fetus. Furthermore, the distinct characteristics associated with each stage of gestation may significantly influence the treatment protocols that can be proposed. Due to all of these factors, the importance of collaboration among healthcare professionals from different specialties (to ensure that both mother and child receive optimal care throughout the pregnancy) is often neglected. This review is designed to provide a thorough overview of the current standard procedures regarding the diagnosis and treatment options for cancer in pregnant patients in order to ensure the safety of mother and child. Furthermore, the review describes the feasibility of current fertility preservation methods, highlights the psychological effects of cancer during pregnancy and examines the risks and benefits of breastfeeding.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infectious condition affecting women’s upper genital tract, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It primarily arises from an infection that spreads upward from the lower genital area. The relationship between chronic pelvic pain and coexisting conditions is a key focus in its diagnosis and treatment. This type of pain is also considered a form of reflex dystrophy, involving both neurological and psychological components, the first line treatment consists in antibiotherapy. For patients with complex or severe pelvic abscesses, surgical intervention may be considered in selected cases. The primary surgical techniques employed are open and laparoscopic surgery, both aimed for abscess removal. MRI or Doppler ultrasonography may be employed when there is a suspicion of adnexal torsion, adenomyosis or deep pelvic endometriosis, especially if the ultrasound results are unclear or inconclusive Laparoscopic surgery has increasingly become favored by both healthcare professionals and patients. Moreover, laparoscopy has emerged as the most valuable tool for diagnosing chronic pelvic pain. The approach to treating pelvic abscesses in women of reproductive age depends greatly on clinical assessments, individual patient factors, and the desire to preserve fertility. However, laparoscopy may present technical difficulties in patients with severe pelvic abscesses, particularly those with extensive adhesions or a closed-off pelvic area, requiring advanced surgical expertise. Women with associated conditions such as endometriosis often experience a more severe form of pelvic inflammatory disease, which is less responsive to antibiotics and more frequently requires surgical resolution. The surgical treatment should be performed individualized to the clinical condition of the patient and the time of intervention must be carefully chosen.

Therapeutic termination of pregnancy (TToP) represents an intervention that is performed for medical reasons, such as risks to maternal health or severe fetal anomalies. Advances in prenatal screening and diagnostic tools—including serum markers, ultrasound, cell-free fetal DNA, chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis—have significantly improved early detection and clinical decision-making. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on the genetic, environmental and psychosocial determinants that influence the decision of the patients to pursue TToP. The literature search was performed primarily using PubMed database, while Scopus and Google Scholar were used to identify additional relevant studies. Some of the selected studies, as well as certain sections of this review, address both therapeutic and voluntary termination of pregnancy, whereas others focus exclusively on TToP. Moreover, this review describes the types of abortion (medical or surgical/aspiration) along with their management strategies to prevent or address potential complications. It is well known that demographic, cultural and socio-economic factors continue to influence the access to TToP, as well as the perceptions of it. Psychiatric comorbidities (such as anxiety, affective and psychotic disorders) are observed with a higher prevalence among women undergoing TToP and may influence both the decision and psychological outcomes post-procedure. While most women report emotional relief after TToP, some of them experience depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or substance misuse. Legal and ethical considerations further complicate access to safe abortion, leading to situations where patients may resort to unsafe procedures, which result in higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Data from the EUROCAT network show rising trends in congenital anomalies like trisomy 13, trisomy 18 and caudal regression syndrome (conditions commonly associated with TToP). Therefore, it is mandatory to form a multidisciplinary team in these cases, integrating medical, psychological and ethical dimensions. Ensuring safe, evidence-based and compassionate access to TToP remains a critical component of reproductive healthcare.

Background: Induced abortion is a major component of reproductive health, with about one in four pregnancies worldwide ending in induced abortion and important implications for maternal morbidity and mortality. Romania’s history of restrictive pronatalist policies, very high post-1989 abortion rates, and subsequent family planning reforms provides an informative case for understanding abortion as a family planning strategy. Objectives: This narrative literature review synthesizes evidence on induced abortion with emphasis on Romania. It describes the evolution of abortion law and policy, summarizes epidemiological and maternal health outcomes, examines sociodemographic and psychosocial determinants of induced abortion, reviews psychological and psycho-sexual consequences, and discusses the role of non-stigmatizing terminology in clinical communication. Methods: This narrative literature review was informed by a structured literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection conducted on 20 May 2026. Publications from January 1990 to September 2024 were searched using terms related to induced abortion, family planning, Romania, maternal mortality and morbidity, abortion policy, psychosocial determinants, psychological outcomes, and stigma. Predefined eligibility criteria were used to identify relevant peer-reviewed studies and major institutional sources; additional historical and legal documents were considered for contextual framing. Additional recently published studies relevant to the review themes were identified through targeted update searches and reference-list screening up to 20 May 2026. Results: Restrictive policies and contraceptive bans in Romania were associated with extremely high abortion-related maternal mortality, whereas legal liberalization and integrated family planning programs led to marked declines in abortion rates and deaths. Abortion decisions reflect age, partnership, parity, education, employment and legal status. Psychological studies and major reviews report heterogeneous post-abortion experiences. These outcomes appear to be influenced primarily by pre-existing mental-health vulnerability, pregnancy intention and circumstances, social support, stigma, and decisional autonomy, rather than by the procedure alone. Also, terminology and conscientious objection practices can contribute to stigma and access barriers. Conclusions: Ensuring equitable access to contraception, safe abortion services, nonjudgmental counseling and neutral professional language appears essential for reducing preventable maternal morbidity and supporting reproductive autonomy.