Research from the CWMH: How MsFLASH Informs the Treatment of Menopausal SymptomsÂ
In 2008, the National Institutes of Health funded the Menopause Strategies: Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health or MSFlash clinical trials network. The primary goal of MSFlash has been to find and test new strategies for alleviating the most common and bothersome menopausal symptoms by designing and conducting multiple concurrent clinical intervention studies at several different sites. Since its inception the MSFlash network has completed five randomized clinical trials [...]
Get Involved: The Next Mom Congress May 3 – 5, 2020 in Washington DC
Mom Congress is a three-day event that brings together moms and those who support them to talk with government leaders about what matters most in maternal and child health — from the care we receive during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period to supporting working moms of teens. Our work builds on the momentum of the recent successful efforts addressing maternity care, including reversing the rising maternal mortality rates and [...]
Weekly Roundup for FEBRUARY 7, 2020: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
Every week we review the most recent publications in women’s mental health, covering topics related to premenstrual symptoms, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, use of medications in pregnant and breastfeeding women, perinatal substance use, and menopausal mental health. The journal Neurobiology of Stress has published two interesting articles on allopregnanolone. The first article reviews the data supporting the role of allopregnanolone in the etiology of postpartum depression, research which ultimately [...]
Alcohol and Pregnancy: Attitudes and Patterns of Drinking Vary Around the Globe
While the harmful effects of alcohol on the developing fetus are well established, many women continue to drink during pregnancy; however, patterns of alcohol consumption vary from country to country. According to the Center for Disease Control, one in 10 (10.2%) of pregnant women in the United States reports drinking alcohol in the past 30 days. In addition, 3.1% of pregnant women report binge drinking – 4 or more alcoholic [...]
Can Social Media Decrease Risk for Depression During Pregnancy?
In both pregnant and postpartum women, social isolation contributes to risk for and exacerbation of depressive symptoms. Many women in this setting turn to the internet and social media as a means of securing support and information. Previous studies, mostly carried out in adolescents and young adults, have shown that social media use is associated with greater risk for depression, anxiety, and self-harm. There is some evidence, however, that women [...]
Online CBT for Insomnia in Pregnancy: Accessible and Effective
Sleep disruption is a common complaint during pregnancy, with 15% to 80% of women reporting sleep problems during the first trimester and 66% to 97% of women in the third trimester. There are data to support the safety of certain sleep-promoting medications during pregnancy, including benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotic agents (Z-drugs); however, many women would prefer to avoid the use of medications during pregnancy, if possible.  Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-I) specifically designed [...]