Women and Parkinson’s
In general, women and men diagnosed with Parkinson’s experience differences in presenting symptoms, sleep problems, cognitive impact, responses to surgery, medication side effects, emotional health, and the care partner experience. If you are a woman diagnosed with YOPD, add potential challenges related to contraception, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, hormones, body image, and aging to your plate.
In this collection of resources about women and Parkinson’s, you’ll hear from women living with Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s experts about the Parkinson’s journey for women.
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Navigating Parkinson’s: Women’s Perspectives and Experiences
In this video, Devon Fulford, Davis Phinney Foundation Director of Education and Content, talks with five women living with Parkinson’s. The panelists discuss receiving their diagnosis, changes in symptoms related to pregnancy and menstruation, self-advocacy, social pressure related to appearance and behavior, and more.
Women and Parkinson’s with Dr. Michelle Fullard
We hosted Dr. Michelle Fullard for a webinar and discussed why rates of diagnosis and symptom presentation are different for men and women, and we also explored the literature about the unique challenges that women with Parkinson’s face.
5 Reasons to Join (or Start) a Women’s Only Parkinson’s Support Group
When women connect with others and bond through shared experiences, they open themselves up to greater happiness, growth, and development. For this reason and many more, connecting with other women living with Parkinson’s can be a powerful way to live well. In this post, we share five reasons it helps to join (or start) a women’s only Parkinson’s support group.
Pregnancy and Parkinson’s
“Along with the expected feelings of fear and excitement of becoming a new mother, I had to contend with the burden of this diagnosis of a progressive, neurodegenerative, incurable illness. As a physician, I had access to the latest research results and expert advice, yet when I investigated what I could expect either with my pregnancy, delivery, or the health of my newborn, I was shocked by the lack of knowledge in this subject. There was no consensus to guide me about which medications were likely to be safe or what risks I or my medical team had to be aware of and precautions that needed to be taken.” Read Dr. Soania Mathur’s full story about receiving a diagnosis of young onset Parkinson’s during the first of her three pregnancies and her advice for navigating pregnancy and Parkinson’s.
YOPD Women’s Council: Relationships, Intimacy, and Parkinson’s
Receiving a Parkinson’s diagnosis when you’re young is overwhelming enough. Being a woman with a Parkinson’s diagnosis adds an additional layer of complexities and challenges. In this panel discussion, our YOPD Women’s Council discusses sex, intimacy, love, dating, and other topics related to relationships.
Explore More Women and Parkinson's Resources
![[WEBINAR RECORDING] Women’s Parkinson’s Panel April 2024](https://cdn.davisphinneyfoundation.org/2024/04/Untitled-design-76-1.png)
![[WEBINAR RECORDING] Navigating Parkinson’s: Women’s Perspectives and Experiences](https://cdn.davisphinneyfoundation.org/2024/03/Womens-History-Cover-Photo.png)
![[Webinar Recording]Women and young onset Parkinson’s with Dr. Annelien Oosterbaan](https://cdn.davisphinneyfoundation.org/2023/07/MicrosoftTeams-image-5.png)
Connect with an Ambassador
Our Ambassadors connect with individuals and families looking for support and community to help them live well with Parkinson’s. Ambassadors are available to speak with you through email, phone, video conference, and in-person.
Edie AndersonVenice, Florida
Veronica M ArevaloBakersfield, California
Sabela Avión MartínezLong Island City, New York
Carol BoaseDayton, Ohio
Alejandra BorundaEl Mirage, Arizona
Sandra ChuMechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Judy FreitagEvanston, Illinois
Charlotte JuarezKingwood, Texas
Teri LamersMinneapolis, Minnesota
Kristi LaMonicaTroy, New York
Chanda MorraBoynton Beach, Florida
Laura OlmosLaredo, Texas
Nora VigilRichmond, California
Alison Nicol WalshTacoma, Washington