Meta-Analysis: Acupuncture Effective for Hot Flashes
A recent meta-analysis concludes that acupuncture is effective for the management of menopausal vasomotor symptoms.
Weight Loss Helps to Reduce Hot Flashes
About 70% of perimenopausal women experience vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes. A new study indicates that a behavioral program focusing on weight loss may help to reduce the severity and frequency of hot flashes.
SSRI Antidepressants Not Associated with Cardiovascular Defects
Over the last few years, we have reported on several studies which have suggested an increased risk of certain types of cardiovascular malformations among children exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy. The first reports suggested a link between cardiac septal defects and exposure to paroxetine; other, but not all, studies have also shown an elevated risk of cardiac defects in children with prenatal exposure to other SSRIs. Because [...]
PTSD Increases the Risk of Preterm Birth
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is relatively common among pregnant and postpartum women. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD for women is about 10%, with one-third of episodes lasting more than five years. Given the relatively high prevalence of PTSD in young women and the chronic nature of the illness, many women may experience PTSD symptoms during pregnancy. Past studies have suggested that stressful life events and PTSD may be associated with an [...]
New Research from the CWMH: CBT to Reduce Risk of Relapse in Women Attempting to Discontinue Antidepressants
Pregnancy is a time of risk for women with histories of major depression. In a study where 201 women with histories of recurrent depression were followed prospectively through pregnancy, 43% experienced a relapse of major depression during pregnancy. Relapse rates were highest in the group of women who elected to discontinue antidepressant treatment proximate to conception (68% as compared to 26% in the group of women who maintained antidepressant treatment).
Breastfeeding and Anti-Epileptic Medications
Because breastfeeding has many psychological and medical benefits for both the mother and her child, many women would like to breastfeed. However, all medications taken by the mother are secreted into the breast milk. While various studies have addressed the short-term safety of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in nursing infants, none have systematically assessed the long-term effects of exposure to these drugs on cognitive development.