MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Pilot Study: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Decrease Levels of Stress during Pregnancy

We have long been concerned about the impact of stressful life events on pregnancy outcomes. There is data to indicate that stress experienced during pregnancy may increase the risk of various adverse outcomes, including increased risk of preterm birth and lower birth weight. Other studies suggest that prenatal exposure to maternal stress may also increase the risk of later psychopathology in the child, increasing the exposed child’s risk of being diagnosed with ADHD, mood and anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-03T13:20:16-04:00January 15th, 2015|Alternative & Complementary, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Happy New Year: Let’s Start By Taking a Look Back to 2014

2014 was a huge year in the field of Reproductive Psychiatry. Never before have we seen so many articles published in this specialty. Much attention has focused on the reproductive safety of psychotropic medication; however, we have seen an increased interest in the mental health of women and a greater appreciation of how psychiatric illness in the mother may affect the entire family, including her unborn child and family.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-01-08T11:43:36-04:00January 8th, 2015|Weekly Roundup|Comments Off

Perinatal Dyadic Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Postpartum Depression

Many studies have observed that postpartum depression may negatively affect the mother-infant relationship and may thus impede bonding and attachment and negatively affect the development of the young child. A recent study explores the use of Perinatal Dyadic Psychotherapy (PDP), a dual-focused mother-infant intervention designed to prevent and/or decrease depressive symptoms in the mother and to improve aspects of the mother-infant relationship related to child development.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-03T13:21:16-04:00December 28th, 2014|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

Women with Epilepsy at Higher Risk for Perinatal Depression

A recent study examined the prevalence and risk factors for perinatal depression and anxiety in a group of Norwegian women with epilepsy (n = 706) compared to pregnancies in all women without epilepsy (n = 106,511).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-07-21T11:07:25-04:00December 23rd, 2014|Depressive Disorders, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Acupuncture for Postpartum Depression

85 women with postpartum depression were randomized to receive acupuncture plus psychological intervention (five sessions per week) or treatment with fluoxetine (20 mg per day). The two groups were treated continuously for six weeks. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Hamilton Depression scale (HAMD).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-05-02T11:37:02-04:00December 22nd, 2014|Alternative & Complementary, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off

The Impact of Infertility Treatment on Mood: Some Women are More Vulnerable

While many women complain of psychological distress during infertility treatment, it has been somewhat unclear if the anxiety and depression women may experience is related to having to undergo infertility treatment or to the hormonal agents that are used as part of the treatment, or a combination of the two. While we know that changing levels of gonadal hormones, like estrogen, may affect mood and anxiety levels, we have very little information on the psychological effects of the hormone-modulating drugs used in assisted reproductive technology (ART).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-05-15T18:17:52-04:00December 16th, 2014|Depressive Disorders, Infertility and Mental Health|Comments Off

FDA Finalizes Guidelines for Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Information

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a report outlining the new standards for how to present information regarding the safety of medications used during pregnancy and breastfeeding: “The new content and formatting requirements will provide a more consistent way to include relevant information about the risks and benefits of prescription drugs and biological products used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.” These changes will be put into effect by June 2015.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-05-01T11:59:40-04:00December 11th, 2014|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Vitamin D and Menopausal Symptoms

A recent study has explored the association between vitamin D levels and vasomotor symptoms in a group of postmenopausal women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-02-23T17:41:14-04:00December 10th, 2014|Alternative & Complementary, Menopausal Symptoms|Comments Off

New Guidelines Limit Testosterone Supplements for Women

Both men and women produce testosterone. The big difference is that the levels are much lower in women, around 15 to 40 ng/dL. In women, testosterone levels begin to decline gradually after the age of 20. In postmenopausal women, testosterone levels are between 0 and 20 ng/dL. Various symptoms have been attributed to falling levels of testosterone in midlife women, including lower sex drive, decreased muscle mass and bone density, decline in cognitive functioning, and depression. Some refer to this constellation of symptoms as “female androgen insufficiency syndrome”; others debate the clinical validity of this diagnosis in women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-11-18T14:43:18-04:00November 17th, 2014|Hormone Therapy, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment|Comments Off

Postpartum Depression and Positive Parenting Practices

How does postpartum depression affect a mother’s ability to care for and parent her child? Various studies have demonstrated that depressed mothers may be less attuned to their children’s needs, either being less responsive to the baby or, in some cases, too intrusive. Researchers have speculated that this mismatch between mother and baby may contribute to problems with infant bonding, delays in development and emotional dysregulation.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-11-10T12:20:00-04:00November 10th, 2014|Child Outcomes, Outcomes, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off

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