More Midlife Women Using Cannabis to Manage Perimenopausal Symptoms
Recent studies suggest that the burden of menopausal symptoms is greater than generally perceived. About 80% of women experience vasomotor symptoms (VMS) – hot flashes and night sweats — as they transition into the menopause phase. For many, the symptoms are manageable; however, a significant proportion of midlife women experience menopausal symptoms that negatively affect sleep, mood, and overall quality of life. According to a study results presented during the 2020 [...]
Weekly Roundup for OCTOBER 9, 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. Several articles focus on infertility and mental health. Somewhat counterintuitively, a review article finds that infertile couples who conceive through IVF have lower levels of depression and anxiety than couples who conceive naturally. [...]
Is Postpartum Depression a Distinct Subtype of Depression? Taking a Closer Look at the Amygdala
While many women with postpartum depression (PPD) have had previous episodes of major depression and will go on to have other episodes of depression outside of the postpartum period, many have questioned whether postpartum depression represents a specific subtype of major depressive disorder (MDD), postulating that there may be characteristics which distinguish depression emerging during the postpartum period from depression occurring at other times in a woman’s lifetime. The most distinctive [...]
Measuring the Impact of Maternal Anxiety on Children’s Social-Emotional Development
Over the last few years, the medical community has been using the term perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) to describe the spectrum of psychological symptoms women may experience during pregnancy or the postpartum period. This shift reflects the realization that the term “postpartum depression” describes only the tip of a much larger iceberg; many women experience symptoms of depression during pregnancy, as well as the postpartum period. Furthermore, anxiety symptoms [...]
Virtual Rounds with CWMH Extended through November
Over the past seven months, the MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health has had the tremendous opportunity to host virtual rounds from 2-3pm EST via Zoom for all health professionals with an interest in reproductive psychiatry and women’s mental health. We have reached over 400 students and practitioners in 33 states, 3 Canadian provinces, and 5 additional countries. Invaluable contributions from our guests panelists, as well as the thoughtful questions [...]
Weekly Roundup for OCTOBER 3rd, 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. We are seeing an increased number of articles looking at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women and their families. Interestingly, the studies show a [...]