MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Good News: New Studies Show No Association Between Antidepressants and Risk of Autism

Two recent epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an association between prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SSRIs) with autism spectrum disorders (ASD; Croen et al 2011, Rai et al, 2013). One important imitation of these two studies is that parental psychiatric disorder in itself is associated with an increased risk of ASD in the offspring, and these studies could not distinguish between the effects of drug exposure and the consequences of the underlying maternal psychiatric illness. Two new studies shed light on the association between prenatal antidepressant exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorder in the offspring.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-10-24T22:39:29-04:00February 5th, 2014|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Folic Acid Supplements Before and After Conception: Prevention of Autism

In a recent editorial in The Annals of Internal Medicine entitled “Enough Is Enough: Stop Wasting Money on Vitamin and Mineral Supplements,” authors make a case that multivitamins are not a good value (Dec 17, 2013 issue). This editorial was based on new research that demonstrated that there was no association between multivitamin use and rates of mortality, cognitive decline and recurrent cardiovascular events in three different studies. The assertion that multivitamins are not worth the money was widely reported in the media.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-05-15T20:32:46-04:00January 29th, 2014|Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Prevention, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

Progesterone for Hot Flashes

Following the publication of the Women's Health Initiative report in 2002, there was a dramatic drop in the use of hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) due to concerns about increased risk of heart disease, breast cancer, and stroke. Since that time, various non-hormonal alternatives have been utilized for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, including gabapentin and various serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-07-21T11:32:00-04:00January 28th, 2014|Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

SSRIs and PPHN: Are We Any Closer to Calculating the Risk?

The PPHN story has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Just to review…

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-01-24T15:57:42-04:00January 22nd, 2014|Antidepressants, Neonatal Symptoms, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Adjusting Psychotropic Drug Dosages for Women

Although we do not typically adjust the dosage of medications based on gender, there are certain medications which may have different pharmacokinetics and rates of metabolism in women versus men.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-12-11T12:47:05-04:00January 20th, 2014|General, Medication, Treatment|Comments Off

Cognitive Development in Children Exposed to Levetiracetam (Keppra)

An increasing number of reproductive age women now take newer anticonvulsants for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders; however, information regarding the reproductive safety of these medications is limited. A recent study has evaluated the cognitive and language development of children born to women with epilepsy exposed in utero to levetiracetam (LEV, Keppra) or sodium valproate (VPA, Depakote), as compared to control children born to women without epilepsy not taking medication during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-01-24T17:57:32-04:00January 14th, 2014|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

New Baby 101: Practical Intervention Strategy Reduces the Risk of Postpartum Depression

An intervention teaching new parents about normal infant sleeping and crying patterns and providing them with techniques for infant settling improves mothers' depression scores. There were no differences in scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 4 months, but at 6 months, caregivers in the intervention group were almost half as likely to score higher than 9 on the EPDS, with 7.9% scoring higher than 9 in the intervention group vs. 12.9% in the control cohort (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.57).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-07T14:53:22-04:00January 13th, 2014|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevention, Psychotherapy|Comments Off

Shorter Maternity Leave Associated with Risk of Postpartum Depression

The current leave duration provided by the Family and Medical Leave Act is 12 weeks. However, a recent study indicates that women who return to work sooner than six months after childbirth were at an increased risk of postpartum depressive symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-12-11T12:42:58-04:00December 24th, 2013|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off

Do SSRIs Increase the Risk of Postpartum Hemorrhage? Maybe, But Not By Much

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants may affect platelet aggregation and thus may increase the risk of bleeding. Several studies have sought to determine if exposure to SSRI antidepressants in late pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-01-24T17:58:42-04:00December 24th, 2013|Antidepressants, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Pregnancy Outcomes|Comments Off

Earlier Age of Surgical Menopause Associated with More Significant Cognitive Decline

Previous studies have shown that the abrupt hormonal changes that occur after a surgical menopause (i.e., removal of the ovaries) negatively affect cognition in women. According to a recent study, "Women who were younger at the time of surgical menopause have a more rapid rate (steeper slope) of cognitive decline than women who were older at the time of surgery or than women undergoing natural menopause." Earlier age at menopause was also associated with increased Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology, in particular neuritic plaques.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-07-21T11:33:53-04:00December 23rd, 2013|Cognition, Hormone Therapy, Menopausal Symptoms, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

About MGH Center for Women's Mental Health