Essential Reads: Looking Back at 2020
Well, it’s been a year like no other. And we are all hoping for better times in the new year. Nonetheless, as I scroll over the posts from the last year, it is clear that, despite the pandemic, the field of reproductive psychiatry has continued to expand rapidly, with an unprecedented number of papers published in 2020. At the MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health, we have devised new strategies [...]
Weekly Roundup for DECEMBER 25, 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 last few years, there have been several articles suggesting that more aggressive pain management at the time of labor and delivery and during the postpartum period may decrease risk for postpartum [...]
Essential Reads: Ovarian Suppression for the Treatment of Severe PMDD
While many women experience physical symptoms prior to the onset of their period or premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a smaller subset of women suffer from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome. PMDD is characterized by significant premenstrual mood disturbance, often with prominent mood reactivity, irritability, and depression. Symptoms of PMDD can emerge 1-2 weeks preceding menses and typically resolve with the onset of menses. This mood [...]
New Research from the CWMH: The Course of ADHD During Pregnancy
We continue to see an increasing number of women with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who are either pregnant or planning to conceive. While we have considerable data to indicate that women with mood and anxiety disorders are at increased risk for relapse during pregnancy, we have very limited information on the course of ADHD during pregnancy. In a recent study for the MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health, Dr. Alison Baker [...]
In Brief: Gabapentin (Neurontin) for the Treatment of Hyperemesis Gravidarum
While the majority of pregnant women experience nausea and/or vomiting during the first trimester of pregnancy, a smaller subset of women — around 1% — experience more severe and intractable vomiting, or hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). If left untreated, prolonged hyperemesis can lead to weight loss, dehydration, nutrient deficiencies and electrolyte disturbances. Hyperemesis may also increase risk for anxiety or depression during pregnancy. We have few options for the effective treatment [...]
Essential Reads: Alcohol and Breastfeeding
We frequently receive questions regarding the safety of drinking alcohol while breastfeeding. While the harmful effects of alcohol use during pregnancy are well known, we have much less information regarding the consequences of alcohol use in breastfeeding women and their infants. Some healthcare providers urge abstinence, yet others believe that alcohol consumption by the breastfeeding mother poses little risk to the infant. A review article on this topic published [...]