![By Vera Kratochvil [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://womensmentalhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Mother_Kissing_Baby-320x202.jpg)
New Initiatives to Raise Awareness Among Reproductive-Aged Women Taking Antidepressants
According to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 15 percent of reproductive-aged women filled a prescription for an antidepressant medication during the years 2008–2013. The prevalence of antidepressant use increased with age from 8.3% (age range, 15–19) to 20.9% (40–44). Among antidepressants, sertraline was most often prescribed (3.3%). Given the high prevalence of antidepressant use among women of childbearing age, the CDC is [...]
Boston Screening of Dark Side of the Full Moon Documentary
For those of you in the Boston area, the Massachusetts PPD Commission is offering a free screening of the documentary "Dark Side of the Full Moon" at the State House Room 428 on the 4th floor on March 1st 2016 from 2-4pm. The commission will be hosting a panel discussion after the film on reducing barriers to care. This is free and open to the public. Dark Side of the Full [...]
Fetal Programming and Anxiety in the Children of Mothers with Antenatal Depression
Fetal programming is a term used to describe what happens when the fetus is exposed to changes in the intrauterine environment during pregnancy which have long lasting effects on the fetus which alter the physical health and developmental trajectory of the exposed child. This hypothesis proposes that if a particular insult occurs during any sensitive period of in utero development, it can alter the development of the fetus, so that the [...]
Nonhormonal Management of Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms: 2015 NAMS Position Statement
Since the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) reported that the risks of menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) outweighed its benefits, there has been a significant reduction in the use of HRT. However, recent studies have suggested that many peri- and postmenopausal women experience significant symptoms for many years and that these symptoms have a marked impact on the quality of life. While hormonal interventions may be considered in certain populations of women [...]
Are Women with Bipolar Disorder at Risk of Illness After Miscarriage?
Women with bipolar disorder are at significant risk for recurrent illness during the postpartum period. After miscarriage, an event which is associated with both hormonal changes and psychological complexity, is the risk for recurrent illness also increased? This question was addressed by researchers with a retrospective review of 1,283 women with “broadly defined bipolar disorder”. Rates of mania/affective psychosis were significantly higher after a live birth (n = 320, 12.5%) than [...]
Guest Post: Dr. Anna Glezer on the Emotional Side Effects of Infertility Medications
This week we are pleased to have a guest post from Dr. Anna Glezer. She is a perinatal psychiatrist practicing at the University of California San Francisco and the founder of Mind Body Pregnancy, a new online resource uniquely focusing on all topics related to the emotional health of women during their reproductive years. Infertility, affecting many couples, can have a number of mental health complications like depression. The most [...]