MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Atypical Antipsychotic Medications: What Do We Know About Their Reproductive Safety?

Atypical antipsychotic medications are commonly used for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Despite the increasing use of these medications in women of child-bearing age, there is still relatively little data regarding the reproductive safety and long-term neurodevelopmental effects of these medications. A recent study assessed the development of 76 infants with fetal exposure to atypical antipsychotics.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T10:39:32-04:00May 15th, 2013|Antipsychotic Medications, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

New Research from the CWMH: Vasomotor Symptoms Frequently Recur After Discontinuation of SSRI

For the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as hot flashes and night sweats, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective and well-tolerated. Positive effects are observed within 4 weeks of the initiation of treatment. However, we do not know how long treatment with an SSRI must be continued in order to maintain control of VMS. Nor do we know if VMS will recur after discontinuation of SSRI or if recurrent VMS may be less frequent or less bothersome after receiving SSRI treatment. A recent report from Dr. Hadine Joffe and colleagues at the Center for Women’s Mental Health assessed the recurrence of vasomotor symptoms in women treated with SSRIs.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:52-04:00May 13th, 2013|Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Remote Enrollment Initiated in MGH Study Assessing Mood Symptoms Across Infertility Treatment

We are pleased to announce the recent launch of an exciting new research initiative that is being conducted by the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women’s Mental Health. The Symptom Tracking in Assisted Reproductive Technologies study (START study) will focus on understanding the risk factors for depressive relapse in women undergoing infertility treatments. There has been a growing request in our clinical work to address the needs of women undergoing infertility treatments. It is our hope that such a study will provide important information on the course and risk of depression in women undergoing fertility treatment and thus inform clinical care.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:32:10-04:00May 7th, 2013|Depressive Disorders, Infertility and Mental Health, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Perinatal Depression: Maybe or Maybe Not

The omega-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA), have a broad range of health benefits and may be beneficial for the treatment of mood disorders. Because during pregnancy omega-3 fatty acids are diverted to the developing fetus, some women may develop a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy. Previous studies have shown that pregnant women with lower levels of DHA may be more vulnerable to depressive symptoms. Several small studies have attempted to use omega-3 fatty acids to treat perinatal depression but have yielded inconsistent findings.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-07T14:43:16-04:00May 6th, 2013|Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Mediterranean Diet Benefits Perimenopausal Women with Hot Flashes

In a large study from Australia, researchers found that menopausal women who ate diets high in fruit, certain vegetables, pasta and red wine were 20% less likely to have hot flashes and night sweats.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T11:02:25-04:00May 2nd, 2013|Alternative & Complementary, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Research from the CWMH: Duloxetine for Menopausal Symptoms

A substantial proportion of women transitioning into menopause experience a new onset or recurrence of depressive symptoms. A new study from the Center for Women’s Mental Health indicates that duloxetine (Cymbalta) is effective for the treatment of depression and may also have a beneficial effect on vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T11:08:15-04:00April 29th, 2013|Depressive Disorders, Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

SSRI Exposure During Pregnancy Does Not Appear to Affect Infant Growth

Some studies have shown an association between in utero exposure to antidepressants and various pregnancy outcomes, including preterm delivery, low birth weight, and lower Apgar scores; however, these outcomes have also been observed in infants born to depressed mothers who are not taking medication. Thus, it has been difficult to determine if there is a causal relationship between antidepressant exposure and these negative pregnancy outcomes or if untreated maternal depression is itself responsible for these negative outcomes.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T11:14:10-04:00April 18th, 2013|Antidepressants, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Pregnancy Outcomes|Comments Off

Gabapentin (Neurontin) and Pregnancy

Despite the fact that gabapentin (Neurontin) is now used in a wide variety of clinical settings -- for epilepsy, pain management, anxiety, sleep disturbance – there is relatively little information regarding its reproductive safety. A prospective study from researchers at the Motherisk program reports on the outcomes of 223 pregnancies exposed to gabapentin and 223 unexposed pregnancies.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T11:47:38-04:00April 15th, 2013|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

FDA Announces Approval of a New (Old) Medication for Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy

The combination of doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), to be marketed as Diclegis, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. A similar combination was previously sold under the name Bendectin but was pulled from the market in 1983 because there were concerns regarding its reproductive safety. (Bendectin originally contained dicyclomine which was later removed due to lack of efficacy.)

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T11:49:48-04:00April 11th, 2013|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Hormonal Treatments for Breast Cancer: Do They Cause Depression?

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the preferred hormonal therapy for postmenopausal women with estrogen sensitive breast cancer. While the selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as tamoxifen and raloxifene, are used in premenopausal women with estrogen sensitive breast cancer, the aromatase inhibitors (e.g., anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane) have been shown to be more effective and safer than the SERMs in postmenopausal women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T11:57:42-04:00April 9th, 2013|Breast Cancer, Depressive Disorders, Hormone Therapy, Menopausal Symptoms|Comments Off

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