Reproductive Psychiatry
in Austin, TX
Psychiatric & psychotherapeutic care across hormonal transitions.
Hormonal Transitions Change How Your Brain Functions
You may still be functioning well at work. You may still be meeting expectations. But internally, something feels less steady. Mood becomes less predictable. Anxiety intensifies without a clear cause. Sleep thins out. Focus declines. Medication that once worked feels inconsistent. But what can you do about it?
What Is Holistic Reproductive Psychiatry?
Reproductive psychiatry evaluates psychiatric symptoms in the context of menstrual cycles, pregnancy planning, postpartum shifts, and perimenopause. It treats biology and psychology as interacting systems rather than separate domains.
Holistic Reproductive psychiatry goes deeper than symptom tracking. We examine how hormonal shifts affect neurotransmitters, stress response, sleep, trauma sensitivity, and emotional regulation. Care is individualized, data-informed, and grounded in your lived experience, not assumptions.
Who Is Reproductive Psychiatry For?
This care is appropriate for high-performing adults who:
Experience cyclical mood or anxiety changes
Suspect PMDD
Notice worsening ADHD, OCD, or anxiety symptoms before menstruation
Are planning a pregnancy and want thoughtful medication guidance
Feel cognitively or emotionally different in perimenopause
Are postpartum and experiencing mood instability or intrusive thoughts
Have a history of depression or bipolar spectrum symptoms that shift with hormonal change
Areas of Reproductive Practice
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Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder involves clinically significant mood changes tied to the menstrual cycle. It may present as:
Marked irritability
Decreased frustration tolerance
Cognitive fog under sustained demand
Escalation of intrusive thoughts
Temporary reduction in medication effectiveness
Diagnosis requires tracking patterns across time. Treatment may include medication adjustments, phase-specific dosing strategies, structured psychotherapy, and biologically informed interventions when indicated.
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Psychiatric care during pregnancy planning and postpartum requires careful risk modeling. Treatment decisions consider:
Severity and recurrence of prior episodes
Medication response history
Risks of untreated illness
Trimester-specific considerations
Postpartum relapse prevention
In some cases, targeted nutritional or metabolic support is incorporated to strengthen physiological stability.
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Perimenopause can affect mood regulation, sleep, cognitive clarity, and stress tolerance.
Symptoms may resemble anxiety, depression, burnout, or ADHD exacerbation. Evaluation differentiates between:
Hormone-mediated change
Recurrence of primary psychiatric illness
Medication tolerance shifts
Structural life strain
Similar symptoms can arise from different mechanisms. Treatment depends on identifying which mechanism is active.
How We’ll Work Together
Step 1: Comprehensive Reproductive and Mental Health Intake
We begin with a detailed intake that includes psychiatric history, reproductive timeline, hormonal patterns, symptoms, and stressors.
Step 2: Hormonal and Biological Insights
When appropriate, we review labs, medication responses, cycle-related symptom patterns, and nervous system indicators.
Step #3: Personalized Reproductive Psychiatry Plan
Your plan may include medication, non-medication strategies, supplements, nervous system support, or coordination with OB-GYN or primary care providers.
Step #4: Ongoing, Thoughtful Support
Reproductive transitions evolve. We meet regularly to adjust care as your body and needs change, without rushing or overcorrecting.
Meet Dr. Lauren Williams, Reproductive Psychiatrist in Austin, TX
Board-Certified Psychiatrist | Functional Medicine Trained | Trauma-Informed
My work in reproductive psychiatry is grounded in understanding how hormonal shifts impact the brain, nervous system, and emotional resilience. I work with high agency adults seeking careful, medically grounded psychiatric care.
My approach integrates psychiatry, psychotherapy, and biological evaluation within a structured framework. Your care will have clarity and be intentional.
Reproductive Psychiatry: Frequently Asked Questions
What does a reproductive psychiatrist do?
A reproductive psychiatrist specializes in mental health care during hormonal and reproductive transitions. This includes evaluating mood, anxiety, and cognitive symptoms in the context of menstrual cycles, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.
Can a psychiatrist help with PMDD or postpartum depression?
Yes. Psychiatrists are trained to diagnose and treat PMDD and postpartum mood disorders. Reproductive psychiatry focuses on how hormonal shifts affect mental health and guides treatment accordingly.
Is medication always required?
No. Treatment may include medication, but also nervous system support, supplements, therapy collaboration, and lifestyle adjustments. Care is tailored to your needs and goals.
How is this different from general psychiatry?
Reproductive psychiatry specifically considers hormonal biology, reproductive timelines, and gender-specific mental health patterns. It avoids one-size-fits-all treatment and centers on precision and context.
Are Hormonal Transitions Destabilizing Your Life?
If you are seeking structured psychiatric care grounded in biological understanding, request an evaluation below.