Lower Vitamin D Levels Associated with Perinatal Depression
The active form of vitamin D is produced as a byproduct of natural sun exposure; it can also be in certain foods, including some kinds of fish, egg yolks, and fortified dairy and grain products. Certain people – those with decreased sun exposure or diets with low vitamin D – may be more vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with a spectrum of health [...]
SSRI Antidepressants and Male Fertility
Back in 2009, we reported on a study which demonstrated that paroxetine (Paxil) may affect sperm quality in men treated with this antidepressant. A new study reports a similar finding in men treated with sertraline (Zoloft), another selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). In this randomized, single-blind study, men with premature ejaculation were treated with either sertraline (Zoloft) or behavioral therapy.They observed that men treated with sertraline had significantly lower sperm concentration [...]
Clinical Update 2014: Use of Methylphenidate During Pregnancy
For women with mild to moderate attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, we frequently recommend discontinuing medication and switching to a non-pharmacologic intervention. Although these women might experience some decrease in their level of functioning, they typically are able to forgo pharmacologic treatment and do quite well. However, there are other women with more severe symptoms which interfere significantly with their daily functioning and may potentially affect their pregnancy. In these women, we [...]
Understanding the Link Between Maternal Diet, Depression and Child Development
While the human brain continues develop throughout the first twenty or so years of life, the most vulnerable periods of brain development occur during pregnancy and the first 2 to 3 years of the child’s life, when there is rapid brain growth. Various studies have demonstrated that women exposed to famine during pregnancy have an increased risk of having a child with psychiatric illness. We also know that deficiencies of certain nutrients [...]
Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: A Time of Vulnerability for Women with OCD
While we have now a fair amount of information regarding the course of major depression and bipolar disorder during pregnancy and the postpartum period, we have much less information on the course obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Clinically we often see women with OCD who report recurrence or worsening of their symptoms during the postpartum period, but few studies have systematically studied the impact of various reproductive events, including pregnancy, on the course [...]
Stellate Ganglion Blockade for Vasomotor Symptoms
A study to be published in an upcoming issue of Menopause suggests that stellate ganglion blockade (SGB) may be an effective option for women with vasomotor symptoms (VMS), including hot flashes and night sweats. SGB is used primarily for pain management and involves the injection of local anesthetic into the stellate ganglion, part of the sympathetic nerve system located in the neck.