In Brief: Several Programs from NPR Focus on Perinatal Depression
It is great to see so many well-written and researched reports on perinatal depression in the news these days. Here are a few great stories from NPR published over the last couple of months. One of the best things about these articles is that they center on women's experiences of their illness. There is so much stigma surrounding mental illness, and hearing about other women's personal experiences can be so [...]
Weekly Roundup for JANUARY 31, 2020: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
Weekly Roundup for JANUARY 31, 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. There are quite a few articles this week looking at the effects of CBT for the treatment of depression and anxiety [...]
Preliminary Data Raises Concerns About Modafinil Use in Pregnancy
Modafinil (brand name Provigil) is a wake-promoting agent which is used to treat sleepiness due to narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea. It is also used to in others settings, often in combination with other medications, to treat ADHD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction.  A research letter from Denmark published this week in JAMA Psychiatry raises concerns regarding the use of modafinil during pregnancy.  Using Danish [...]
Marijuana Use in Men Associated with Increased Risk of Miscarriage
In women of reproductive age, cannabis is the most commonly used recreational drug, and there the use of cannabis during pregnancy is on the rise.  While recent studies a North American cohort study of couples attempting to conceive. At the baseline interview occurring prior to conception, men and women provided information on demographic variables, medical history, and lifestyle factors, including marijuana use frequency. For up to 12-months or until [...]
PCOS Carries Increased Risk for Bipolar Disorder, Risk Reduced with Metformin
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine-related dysfunction in women of reproductive age. Multiple studies have observed a higher prevalence of psychiatric illness, including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder in women with PCOS The nature of this association is not fully understood. Some have hypothesized that the hormonal dysregulation seen in women with PCOS may increase vulnerability to psychiatric illness. Others have questioned whether the medications [...]
Folic Acid Essential for All Women of Reproductive Age
Last week was National Folate Awareness Week. While this post may be a little late, it is never too late to remind women of reproductive age of the importance of taking supplemental folic acid. Folic Acid Reduces the Risk of Birth Defects Folic acid is a B-vitamin needed for proper cell growth and can be found in many multivitamins, as well as many food sources, such as lentils, dried beans [...]