Integration of Rheumatologic and Reproductive Healthcare in the MENA Region: A Narrative Review of Progress and Challenges

Rheumatic diseases can have significant adverse effects on women’s health, particularly during their reproductive years. Although the services provided to this group of patients have improved in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in recent years, several challenges remain. These challenges stem from the unique socioeconomic background of various MENA countries along with cultural beliefs surrounding reproductive health, which differ significantly from other global regions. Furthermore, some members of the region have limited access to specialized high-risk pregnancy clinics and family planning services, adding to the obstacles of delivering high-quality reproductive health services to female patients. In this narrative review, we examine these various barriers towards advancing care of females with rheumatic diseases, focusing on limited access to family planning services, sexual health education, and suboptimal multidisciplinary collaborations. Ultimately, we seek to address these gaps and explore their implications to enhance the care of women with rheumatic diseases during their reproductive years in the MENA region.