Impact of Miscarriage on Partners
Early pregnancy loss (EPL) is common, affecting up to 25% of pregnancies. Studies looking at the emotional consequences of miscarriage have shown that most women do well; however, some women experience clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety. In a previous study, Farren and colleagues prospectively examined the type and severity of emotional symptoms women experienced after an early pregnancy loss (n = 128), as compared to women with viable [...]
Study Supporting the Reproductive Safety of Gabapentin During Pregnancy
Gabapentin (Neurontin) is now used in a wide variety of clinical settings — for the treatment of epilepsy, pain management, restless leg syndrome, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. However, there is relatively little information regarding its reproductive safety. We last reviewed this topic in 2015. At that point, the literature included 333 cases of prenatal gabapentin exposure. In that pooled sample, major malformations were reported in a total of 5 children, [...]
Is St. John’s Wort Effective for PMDD?
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is an herbal preparation which has been shown, in some studies, to be effective for the treatment of mild to moderate depressive symptoms. St. John’s wort is now one of the most commonly used herbal products in the United States and is widely used in Europe. We don’t know exactly what is responsible for the antidepressant effects of St. John’s wort; however, it appears that [...]
Weekly Roundup for OCTOBER 23, 2020: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
Every week we review the most recent publications in women’s mental health, covering topics related to premenstrual symptoms, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, use of medications in pregnant and breastfeeding women, perinatal substance use, and menopausal mental health. Over the years, we have seen multiple studies which have demonstrated the impact of maternal depressive symptoms on children’s development and behavior. It has been more difficult to quantify the impact of exposure [...]
Next MGH Online Course on Women’s Mental Health Starts November: Register Today
We completed our first MGH Women’s Mental Health online CME program in the Fall of 2019, and we are so excited to offer our next round of the course beginning in November 2020. Thank you for those who have participated in past cycles! The next course begins on November 2nd, and registration is available through the MGH Psych Academy now! This online course will focus on the diagnosis and treatment of [...]
New (But Still Not Enough) Data on Modafinil and Pregnancy
Modafinil (brand name Provigil) is a wake-promoting agent which is used to treat sleepiness due to narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea. It is also used in other settings, often in combination with other medications, to treat ADHD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction.  In 2018, an interim report from a registry established by the manufacturer of modafinil released data indicating a prevalence of 15% for major [...]