New (But Still Not Enough) Data on Modafinil and Pregnancy
Modafinil (brand name Provigil) is a wake-promoting agent which is used to treat sleepiness due to narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea. It is also used in other settings, often in combination with other medications, to treat ADHD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction.  In 2018, an interim report from a registry established by the manufacturer of modafinil released data indicating a prevalence of 15% for major [...]
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Depression during Pregnancy Shows Promising Results
While depression is relatively common in pregnancy and we have data to support the reproductive safety of many different antidepressants, many women are reluctant to use antidepressant medications during pregnancy. Because untreated depression in the mother has been associated with worse pregnancy outcomes and may have long term effects on the child, there is a clear need for effective and safe strategies for the treatment of depression during pregnancy.   Transcranial [...]
Low-Dose Testosterone for Depression in Women: Does It Work?
In women, testosterone is produced by the ovaries in small amounts; however, levels of testosterone decline with age, independent of menopausal status. Low-dose testosterone has been used to improve sexual functioning in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. In addition, other studies have shown that testosterone may improve fatigue and depressive symptoms. However, these studies were carried out in women who were not formally diagnosed with depression. A recent collaborative [...]
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 [...]