Essential Reads: Using Neuroimaging to Visualize the Impact of Maternal Depression on the Developing Brain
When a woman comes in for a consultation regarding the use of medications during pregnancy, we spend most of our time reviewing the potential risks of exposure to medications during pregnancy. However, we must also include a discussion of the effects of untreated psychiatric illness in the mother on the developing child, for there is a growing body of literature which demonstrates that what happens in utero, while the fetus is [...]
Weekly Roundup for FEBRUARY 19, 2021: 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. For more detailed descriptions of many of these topics, you can sign up to receive our weekly CWMH NEWSLETTER which comes out every Thursday.  And don't forget to visit ESSENTIAL [...]
Essential Reads: How to Screen for Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Postpartum Women?
When obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) occurs during the postpartum period, women may experience typical OCD symptoms related to contamination and cleaning, catastrophic thoughts and checking, or symmetry and ordering. However, many women with postpartum OCD, as well as those with other postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, have intrusive, ego-dystonic thoughts of harming the infant. These intrusive thoughts contribute to significant distress, and may ultimately compromise bonding and overall functioning. These disturbing symptoms [...]
Cannabis Use More Common Among Pregnant Women with Depression, Anxiety and Trauma
Despite decreasing rates of alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, the use of cannabis use during pregnancy is on the rise. Several qualitative studies have suggested that pregnant women report using cannabis to manage a range of psychological symptoms, including anxiety and depression. However, we do not know whether cannabis use is more common among pregnant women with psychiatric illness or histories of trauma. In a recent study, data from the [...]
Dr. Lee Cohen Discusses Menopause on the It’s Not a Crisis Podcast
In this episode of It’s Not a Crisis, Dr. Lee Cohen speaks with host Doryn Wallach about the struggles many women experience during the menopausal transition. For most women, menopausal symptoms are manageable, but for a sizable subset of midlife women, these symptoms can negatively affect sleep, mood, and quality of life. While clinical guidelines suggest that menopausal symptoms typically last from 6 months to 2 years, new research suggests that [...]
Essential Reads: Emerging Evidence of the Long-Term Effects of Cannabis on the Developing Brain
Despite decreasing rates of alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, the use of cannabis use during pregnancy is on the rise. We are seeing an increasing number of women in our clinic who are using marijuana on a regular basis — recreationally and medically prescribed. This is no surprise given that many states have or are now moving forward with the legalization of medical marijuana. The majority of marijuana users are [...]