Premenstrual Worsening of Symptoms in Women with Psychotic Disorders
Clinically we see that many women with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder experience worsening of their symptoms prior to the onset of menses. We have less data on the impact of menstrual cycle on psychotic disorders. In a recent study, researchers analyzed a total of 19 published studies examining the impact of the menstrual cycle on symptoms in women with psychotic disorders. Evidence of illness exacerbation included psychiatric hospital [...]
Increased Identification of Women with Perinatal Depression, But Still Room for Improvement
Over the last decade, public awareness of the mental health challenges women face has grown tremendously, and we can say with certainty that we have succeeded in putting this important topic firmly on the medical map. Still, the field of women’s mental health faces important challenges. How can we best serve women and the clinicians who care for them as we move forward? There continue to be significant obstacles we must [...]
New Progestin-Only Contraceptive Approved by the FDA
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new progestin-only oral contraceptive called Slynd. This preparation contains the novel progestin drospirenone which is one component of the oral contraceptives (OCs) YaZ and Yasmin. (These contraceptives also contain the estrogen ethinyl estradiol.) Contraceptives containing only progesterone have raised concerns with regard to their impact on mood. There is evidence that Depo-Provera may increase risk for depression, including postpartum depression. Less clear is [...]
In Brief: Increased Use of Cannabis During Pregnancy, But Little Data on Reproductive Safety
Despite decreasing rates of alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, the use of cannabis use during pregnancy is on the rise. According to data collected from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the use of cannabis in pregnant women aged 18 to 44 years rose from 2.37% in 2002 to 3.85% in 2014 in the United States. Agarwal notes that 21.1% of pregnant women who used cannabis reported doing [...]
Weekly Roundup for MAY 17, 2019: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
There have been many articles in the media covering the article at the top of the list. In this study, researchers from Quebec observe an increased risk of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) in women using benzodiazepines during pregnancy. We will be writing more about this study later in the week. Several articles look at the impact of maternal depression on the child’s brain, demonstrating structural changes in the limbic system, the area [...]
Bipolar disorder during pregnancy: Lessons learned
May 1, 2019 from ObGynNews Publish date: May 1, 2019 By Lee S. Cohen, MD Careful management of bipolar disorder during pregnancy is critical because for so many patients with this illness, the road to emotional well-being has been a long one, requiring a combination of careful pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies.Half of referrals to our Center for Women’s Mental Health – where we evaluate and treat women before, during, and after pregnancy [...]