Overview: research on the psychology of women. I. Gender differences and sexual and reproductive life.

There has been a recent and rapid increase in research literature pertaining to women; this revolution in women's studies may be currently unequaled in any other field related to psychiatry. In this first part of a two-part article the author briefly discusses the social and intellectual contexts of research in this area. She reviews recent research on gender differences in behavior and on women's sexual and reproductive lives, including various aspects of the menstrual cycle, menopause, diseases of the reproductive organs, coitus, rape, childbirth, lactation, and fertility control. The second part will cover research on women in families, communities, work, and psychotherapy; and it will attempt to assess limitations of present knowledge and the anticipated directions and impact of future research.