MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding More Common in Midlife Women with Histories of Depression

Menstrual problems are common among premenopausal women and become more frequent with increasing reproductive age, especially just before and during perimenopause. In the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, a multisite study of menopause and aging, information regarding menstrual history was collected in a total of 934 premenopausal and early perimenopausal women between the ages of 42 and 52. History of major depression was associated with an increased likelihood of heavy bleeding (odds ratio, 1.89), adjusting for recent major depression, menopause status, and other confounding factors. History of depression was not associated with other abnormal bleeding or premenstrual symptoms. Future longitudinal studies are needed to explore why past depression increases the likelihood of subsequent heavy menstrual bleeding in midlife women. One possibility is that irregular fluctuations in estrogen levels may be responsible for both abnormal menstrual bleeding, as well as the dysregulation of neurotransmitter systems that mediate depressive symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:16:56-04:00May 22nd, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Escitalopram (Lexapro) for Hot Flashes: No Significant Sexual Side Effects

Escitalopram, when used in the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms, did not worsen overall sexual function among non-depressed midlife women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:15:15-04:00May 21st, 2012|Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Worse outcomes in Infants Exposed to MDMA (Ecstasy) during Pregnancy

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or “Ecstasy” is one of the most widely used illicit recreational drugs among young adults. This report indicates that infants exposed to Ecstasy ad other recreational drugs may have delays in their motor development.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:27:24-04:00May 19th, 2012|Child Outcomes, Outcomes, Perinatal Substance Use|Comments Off

Pregnancy and Medications: A Personal Essay from Dr. Helen Kim in JAMA

In this essay published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. Helen Kim (an alumna of the CWMH) discusses the challenges of treating women with severe psychiatric illness during pregnancy:

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:33:19-04:00May 15th, 2012|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Exposure to Antidepressants During Pregnancy and Risk of ADHD in the Offspring

Antenatal exposure to Wellbutrin (bupropion) does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of malformations in the exposed infant; however, it is not known if exposure to Wellbutrin during pregnancy has any effect on the child’s neurobehavioral development. In a study from Figueroa and colleagues published in 2010, insurance claims data from 38,704 children and their families were analyzed, using information obtained from the beginning of pregnancy until age 5. Outcomes were assessed in mothers taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or Wellbutrin before, during or after the pregnancy. This study sought to determine the risk of ADHD in exposed infants. Children up to the age of 5 were identified as having ADHD if they had an outpatient or inpatient claim with a primary or secondary diagnosis of ADHD or a prescription claim for stimulants.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-12-11T12:41:30-04:00May 7th, 2012|Antidepressants, Long-Term Outcomes, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Prenatal Antipsychotic Exposure and Neuromotor Performance

While a handful of studies have assessed the risk for congenital malformations in infants exposed to antipsychotic agents, there is even less information regarding neonatal outcome in this population. In 1992, it was first reported that infants exposed to first-generation antipsychotic medications exhibited increased muscle tone, tremulousness, and poor motor functioning when assessed within a few days of delivery.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:42:15-04:00April 25th, 2012|Antipsychotic Medications, Neonatal Symptoms, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

NAMS Supports the Use of Hormone Therapy in Perimenopausal and Recently Postmenopausal Women

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has updated its 2010 recommendations regarding the use of postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) based on evidence accumulated subsequent to the previous report. In the decade since the first publication of the results from the Women's Health Initiative, we have accumulated evidence to indicate that multiple factors influence the effects of hormone therapy, including the type of estrogen used, the way the hormones are given, and the age and recency of menopause of the woman taking the medication. These factors also determine the risks associated with hormone therapy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:42:55-04:00March 21st, 2012|Hormone Therapy, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Katherine Stone Visits MGH

At MGH, we have Rounds weekly. For 2-3 hours per week, we discuss clinical cases, papers that come out in our field, and discuss our research. We have a relatively large group of perinatal psychiatrists, all of whom do clinical work, as well as social workers and a psychologist who regularly join us.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:44:32-04:00March 13th, 2012|Women's Mental Health|Comments Off

Children of Depressed Mothers Exposed to Multiple Risk Factors for Psychopathology

Multiple studies have concluded that the children of depressed mothers are at increased risk for behavioral problems and other mental health issues. Data from 7429 mother–child pairs participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children in the UK indicate that maternal depression (assessed when the children were 1.5 year old) is associated with an increased risk of psychiatric diagnoses in the children at 7.5 years of age.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:45:37-04:00March 12th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Long-Term Outcomes, Outcomes, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off

No Safe Level of Alcohol Use in Pregnancy

Reduced birth length and weight, microcephaly, and characteristic facial deformities (smooth philtrum and thin vermillion border) are associated with alcohol exposure during the second half of the first trimester and are dose-related. In this prospective study including 992 subjects, there was no evidence of a threshold, indicating that women should be advised to abstain from alcohol consumption from conception throughout pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:50:33-04:00March 12th, 2012|Alcohol, Outcomes, Perinatal Substance Use|Comments Off

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