Essential Reads: Folic Acid, Neural Tube Defects, and Congenital Heart Defects
Despite the unequivocal benefits of folic acid supplementation and recommendations urging all women of reproductive age to take folic acid supplements, preconceptual use of folic acid has not increased substantially.
Essential Reads: Breastfeeding and Anti-Epileptic Drugs
While data are limited regarding AEDs and breastfeeding, it appears that none of the AEDs are excreted at high levels into the breast milk, nor have they been associated with high rates of adverse events in the nursing infant.
Moving Backwards? Why Doesn’t the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care Recommend Standardized Screening for Perinatal Depression?
This task force does not recommend universal, instrument-based screening for perinatal depression because we lack clear evidence that screening improves outcomes.
Weekly Roundup for AUGUST 5, 2022: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
Every week we review the most recent publications in women’s mental health.
New Research from the CWMH: Preliminary Data on the Reproductive Safety of Buspirone (BuSpar)
Although a small sample, no major malformations were observed in a prospectively followed cohort of women with first trimester exposure to buspirone.
New Research Study at the CWMH: A Novel Treatment for Menopausal Depression
The transition to menopause, or perimenopause, represents the passage from reproductive to non-reproductive life. During the perimenopause, women experience irregular menstrual cycles, which reflect the large fluctuations in ovarian hormone secretion during this time. In addition, women may experience vasomotor symptoms, altered sleep patterns, changes in cognition, and depression. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been used to manage physical symptoms associated with the menopausal depression, [...]