What We Are Learning From the MGH Postpartum Psychosis Project
Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a rare but serious psychiatric illness, occurring in 1 to 2 per 1000 women in the weeks. Â Because postpartum psychosis is so rare, we do not have specific guidelines regarding its treatment. While the last decade has brought increased awareness of the prevalence and treatment of postpartum depression, our knowledge regarding the ideal acute treatment for postpartum psychosis, and our understanding of the etiology of this [...]
Using Cannabis: How Does it Affect Fertility?
In women of reproductive age, cannabis is the most commonly used recreational drug, and there the use of cannabis during pregnancy is on the rise.  While recent studies have suggested that cannabis use during pregnancy may pose risks to the developing fetus, less is known about the impact of cannabis on fertility. Up until very recently, only three studies (Klonoff-Cohen et al 2006; Kasman et al 2018; Wise et al [...]
Weekly Roundup for NOVEMBER 15, 2019: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
One of the more important articles regarding screening for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) was published in a journal you might not regularly read. While most studies use the EPDS to screen for PMADs, we have long been concerned that this approach to screening might not be identifying of may misdiagnose women with more severe psychiatric illness, such as women with bipolar disorder. Using the Mood Disorder Questionnaire, nearly one [...]
What is Postpartum Psychosis: This is What You Need to Know
Because postpartum psychosis is a relatively rare event, we do not have as much information on this illness as we have on postpartum depression.  In addition, most of the literature we have on postpartum psychosis is not new. A few years back, the American Journal of Psychiatry published an excellent review. Another useful resource was published in the Obstetric Clinics of North America. Both citations are at the end of this [...]
Maternal Anxiety and Adverse Perinatal Outcomes: Why We Need to Screen Women for Anxiety During Pregnancy
When providing information to patients regarding the use of medications during pregnancy, one key element of the decision-making process is an appraisal of the risks associated with untreated psychiatric illness in the mother. While there are risks associated with taking medications during pregnancy, untreated illness in the mother also carries some degree of risk. There is evidence to indicate that mothers with untreated psychiatric illness are more likely to have worse [...]
Weekly Roundup for NOVEMBER 8, 2019: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
In a large study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers observed higher rates of depressive symptoms in adolescents treated with oral contraceptives. However, this study did not show any increase in risk for depression in older women taking oral contraceptives. These findings are similar to those reported in an earlier study from Denmark.  In that study, the risk of depressive symptoms generally decreased with increasing age. Adolescents (15-19 years) [...]