Transdermal Estrogen Benefits Cognitive Functioning in Perimenopausal WomenÂ
While earlier observational studies suggested that hormone treatment may improve cognitive functioning in peri- and postmenopausal women, studies from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) demonstrated that estrogen replacement therapy started in postmenopausal women (65 years or older) did not enhance cognitive functioning, nor did it decrease the risk of dementia. Because most of the women participating in the WHI were older, researchers hypothesized that there might be some sort of [...]
Weekly Roundup for JANUARY 3, 2020: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of our readers!  Next week we will be reviewing our top stories for 2019.  For more detailed descriptions of many of these topics, you can read the CWMH NEWSLETTER which comes out every Thursday. You can sign up for our newsletter HERE. Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD PMS AND PMDD No articles this week INFERTILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH No articles this week PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS DURING [...]
You Asked:Â What Medications Can Be Used For Smoking Cessation in a Breastfeeding Woman?
Smoking is relatively common during pregnancy, with about 10% of all women smoking at some point during their pregnancy. The rates are even higher among women with psychiatric illness. While many women may be able to stop smoking or reduce their intake during pregnancy, most women resume smoking during the postpartum period. And women who suffer from postpartum depression are at even higher risk for smoking relapse. Nicotine and other [...]
Can We Predict Bipolar Switching in Women Diagnosed with Unipolar Depression?
For women, the postpartum period appears to be a time of increased risk for conversion to bipolar disorder in women previously diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Sharma and colleagues observed that the rate of diagnostic switching to bipolar II disorder occurred in 6.52% of women during the first six months after childbirth, which is at least 11- to 18-fold times higher than the rates of switching observed in similar studies conducted [...]
A Meta-Analysis of Gestational Diabetes and Risk for Perinatal Depression
According to recent findings published in Diabetic Medicine, women who develop gestational diabetes may be more likely to experience depression during pregnancy and after delivery, compared to women without gestational diabetes. Over the years, we have reviewed several studies looking at the association between GDM and risk for depression.   In a systematic review and meta-analysis, Wilson and colleagues analyzed data from 62 studies. They observed that the prevalence of elevated levels [...]
In Brief:Â Postpartum Depression Common in First-Time Fathers
Depressive symptoms were assessed in a group of 622 Canadian first-time fathers during their partner’s third trimester using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The prevalence of depressive symptoms in fathers was 13.76% at 2 months and 13.6% at 6 months.  This study suggests that postpartum depression may be as common in fathers as it is in mothers. It should be noted that the prevalence of paternal depression in this study [...]