2009 - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Premenstrual Syndromes: What is the Optimal Duration of Treatment?

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) affect a large number of women of childbearing age. 30-80% of reproductive age women experience premenstrual symptoms. PMS refers to a pattern of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms occurring 1-2 weeks before menses and remitting with the onset of menses. Common symptoms include fatigue, poor concentration, mild mood changes, headaches, abdominal bloating, and breast tenderness.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:32:28-04:00December 21st, 2009|Medication, PMS & PMDD, Treatment|Comments Off

Use of the Emsam Patch (Selegiline) in Pregnancy

A clinician asks: "Is there any data on the use of the Emsam patch in pregnancy?"

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:27:21-04:00December 14th, 2009|Antidepressants, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Panic Disorder Increases the Risk of Adverse Birth Outcomes

Anxiety often results in the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This activation is commonly known as the “fight or flight response”; symptoms may include increased heart rate, shortness of breath, perspiration, chest pain, and nausea or diarrhea. Activation of the fight or flight response is also associated with the activation of numerous other responses in the body, including the production of various stress hormones, including cortisol.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:26:31-04:00December 8th, 2009|Anxiety Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Clinical Question: Topamax and Seroquel in a Woman with Bipolar Disorder Planning to Breastfeed

A clinician asks: “I am a psychiatrist treating a patient with Bipolar Disorder on Seroquel and Topamax. I would like to know what information is available regarding the safety of these medications to the infant if used during breastfeeding.”

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2024-04-14T16:10:23-04:00December 1st, 2009|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Antipsychotic Medications, Breastfeeding & Medications, Mood Stabilizers|Comments Off

The Truth About Bioidentical Hormones

In increasing numbers, women who are candidates for hormonal replacement therapy are requesting “bioidentical” rather than synthetic hormones. Although there is a tendency to think of bioidentical hormones as “all-natural”, they, like synthetic hormones, are manufactured in the laboratory. In contrast to synthetic hormones, they are chemically identical to the hormones produced by the human body; synthetic hormones are structurally different yet are designed to have similar biological effects as naturally produced hormones.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-14T22:59:40-04:00November 23rd, 2009|Hormone Therapy, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

SSRIs and PPHN: A Review of the Data

In 2006, Chambers and colleagues published an article linking SSRI use during late pregnancy to an increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN). Since that time, several other reports have been published which have examined the association between SSRI antidepressants and PPHN. Here is a summary of the findings to date:

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:21:36-04:00November 10th, 2009|Antidepressants, Neonatal Symptoms, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Paroxetine (Paxil) May Affect Sperm Quality

Within the field of psychiatry, there is a growing body of literature studying the use of antidepressants in women in the context of pregnancy and the postpartum period. However, much less attention has focused on the impact of these drugs on fertility, particularly in men. Because major depressive disorders affect about one in 10 American men over their lifetimes, it is essential to study the effects of antidepressants on male fertility.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T13:31:57-04:00October 1st, 2009|Infertility and Mental Health, Sexual Health|Comments Off

Pregabalin (Lyrica) for the Treatment of Hot Flashes

Although estrogen is highly effective for the treatment of hot flushes, many women are reluctant to use hormone therapy to manage these symptoms, given recent concerns that estrogen may carry certain risks. Several studies have demonstrated that gabapentin (Neurontin) and certain antidepressants, including paroxetine (Paxil) and venlafaxine (Effexor), may be useful non-hormonal treatments for the management of hot flashes. Data presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology indicate that pregabalin (Lyrica), an anticonvulsant drug similar to gabapentin, may also be helpful for alleviating hot flashes.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:19:18-04:00September 21st, 2009|Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

New Research: Treatment Decisions by Pregnant Women with Bipolar Disorder

Choosing whether to maintain or discontinue mood stabilizer treatment during pregnancy requires weighing the risks of teratogenic outcomes associated with exposure to a particular drug against the risks of recurrence of untreated affective illness. However, [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:23:58-04:00September 19th, 2009|Bipolar Disorder, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Hot Flashes or Depression: Which Comes First?

Hot flashes and depression are both common symptoms of the menopause transition. Several studies have found a relationship between depression and hot flashes: depressed women are more likely to experience hot flashes and women with hot flashes are more likely to have depression. Other studies have found no association between hot flashes and depression.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:09:09-04:00September 14th, 2009|Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Yearly Archives: 2009