Hormonal Contraception Linked to a (Small) Increase in Risk for Depression
We commonly receive questions regarding the potential effects of oral contraceptives (birth control pills) on mood and risk for depression. Â Despite the prevalence of OC usage, few studies have explored the association between hormonal contraceptive use and mood disturbance. Â According to a large Danish study of more than one million young women, the use of hormonal contraception (including oral, transdermal, vaginal and intrauterine forms) may lead to a small but statistically [...]
Prenatal Exposure to Levetiracetam and Topiramate: No Evidence of Cognitive Deficits
Many of the newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have uses beyond the treatment of epilepsy. Â Topiramate (marketed as a Topamax), in addition to its use for the treatment of epilepsy, is now being prescribed to reproductive aged women for a broad spectrum of indications, including migraine headaches, weight control, and mood stabilization. Â Limited information is available on its reproductive safety; however, the preliminary data we do have raises some concerns regarding the [...]
Atypical Antipsychotics and Breastfeeding
Women with bipolar disorder are at a higher risk for relapse during pregnancy and that the risk is even higher during the postpartum period. Â In addition, women with bipolar disorder are more vulnerable to postpartum psychosis. Â It is for these reasons that we typically recommend that women with bipolar disorder maintenance treatment with a mood stabilizer during the postpartum period in order to decrease their risk for relapse during this vulnerable [...]
Depression Trajectories Across the Peripartum Period: Many Women Depressed During the First Postpartum Year
In the earliest studies, postpartum depression was described an episode of depression associated with childbirth, typically emerging within the first three months after delivery.  As more research has been carried out, we have learned that a sizeable number of  women with PPD actually begin to experience symptoms during pregnancy.  The bottom line is that women with PPD are a heterogeneous group, and several recent studies have attempted to identify and characterize [...]
Weekly Roundup for SEP 23 2016
This week’s roundup includes a series of articles on depression in menopausal women. Reducing depression during the menopausal transition with health coaching: Results from the healthy menopausal transition randomised controlled trial. Almeida OP, Marsh K, Murray K, Hickey M, Sim M, Ford A, Flicker L. Maturitas. 2016 Oct;92:41-8. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2016.07.012. Epub 2016 Jul 19. Depressive symptoms across the menopause transition: findings from a large population-based cohort study. Hickey M, Schoenaker DA, [...]
Postpartum Depression: Focus on Managing Comorbid Anxiety Symptoms
 Multiple studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of antidepressant medications for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD).  Most of the these studies focused on the impact of these medications on depressive symptoms; however, it is clear that many, or maybe most, women with PPD also have significant anxiety symptoms.  Thus, we can hypothesize that medications which have both antidepressant and anxiolytic effects would be the most beneficial for the treatment of [...]