Psoriasis and its management in women of childbearing age: tools to increase awareness in dermatologists and patients

Psoriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory disease with a multifactorial pathogenesis. Mean age at presentation of psoriasis is 28 years in women, which is almost the height of fertility age. Since women of childbearing potential represent a significant proportion of psoriatic patients, the impact of psoriasis and its treatment on fertility, pregnancy, and breastfeeding should be highlighted for a proper management. Therefore, when approaching to a psoriatic woman of childbearing age, Healthcare Providers should be adequately informed and ready to provide the patients with answers to the most frequently asked questions. The Italian Society of Dermatology and Venereology (SIDeMaST) has fostered a Task Force named “Psoriasis in Women of Childbearing Age” which is composed by a group of Italian female dermatologists with a high expertise in psoriasis treatment. The aims of the Task Force are to increase awareness of the disease and its treatment in patients of childbearing age among both dermatologists and women affected by psoriasis and to encourage counselling on family planning. With the aim of providing a real support for the proper management of the delicate journey to motherhood, the Italian Task Force has published two different informative booklets addressed to patients and dermatologists which focus on the main issues regarding psoriasis in women of childbearing age.