Weekly Roundup for AUGUST 28, 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. It's hard to believe that September is upon us. A few reminders. We will continue to offer our Wednesday virtual rounds. You can sign up HERE. This is a great opportunity to discuss [...]
CBT-Based Group Intervention Improves Perinatal Depression and Maternal Sensitivity
Previous research has shown that higher levels of depressive symptoms during pregnancy may be associated with lower levels of maternal-fetal attachment (MFA). Other studies have indicated that poor MFA is a significant predictor of worse outcomes in terms of mother-infant interactions and infant attachment security. A new study looks at an intervention designed to treat maternal depression and assesses the impact of this intervention on maternal sensitivity and attachment.  This pilot [...]
Another Study on Antidepressants and Birth Defects: Does it Change Our Decision-Making?
Prozac (fluoxetine) was the first SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Since its release in 1988, we have been gathering data on the reproductive safety of fluoxetine and other SSRIs. Over the last 32 years, we have collected an enormous amount of data on the use of SSRIs during pregnancy -- far more information than we have on other medications commonly used during pregnancy. The data has been reassuring, and based [...]
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) Dosing During Pregnancy
For many women with bipolar disorder, lamotrigine (Lamictal) is an effective mood stabilizer. Given its favorable reproductive safety profile, lamotrigine is a reasonable option for women who require treatment with a mood stabilizer during pregnancy.  When advising women regarding the use of medications during pregnancy, we typically recommend that women remain on the dose of medication that has kept them well prior to pregnancy. Reducing the dosage of medication may result [...]
Use of Prescription Opioids During Pregnancy Is Relatively Common
According to the most recent Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey conducted in 2019, 6.6% of the respondents reported prescription opioid use during pregnancy. Use of prescription opioids was more common in certain groups. Prescription opioid use was the highest (10%) in women 19 years and under. Among women who smoked cigarettes during pregnancy, 16% also reported opioid use. In addition, 13% of women with depression during pregnancy used [...]
New Research Study: Pregnenolone Neurosteroid for the Treatment of Menopausal Depression
Over the last few years we have heard a great deal about neurosteroids, also known as neuroactive steroids. This class of compounds are steroid hormones produced in the brain and endocrine tissues which can modulate neurotransmission. Animal studies have demonstrated that neurosteroids have a broad range of activities, including antidepressant, anxiolytic, sedative, analgesic, anticonvulsant, neuroprotective, and neuroproliferative effects.  While we have known about neuroactive effects of steroids since the 1940s, [...]