In our community of perinatal psychiatrists, we have recently seen many questions regarding the use of folic acid supplementation in women taking lamotrigine (Lamictal). Â While all recognize that all women of childbearing age should receive [...]
Pregabalin (marketed in the US as Lyrica) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain. Â It is also used off-label to treat psychiatric disorders, most [...]
The anticonvulsant lamotrigine (Lamictal) is being used with increasing regularity for the treatment of women with bipolar disorder. Â Back in 2006, we reported on preliminary data indicating an increased risk of oral clefts among infants [...]
Women with bipolar disorder are at significant risk for recurrent illness during the postpartum period. Â After miscarriage, an event which is associated with both hormonal changes and psychological complexity, is the risk for recurrent illness [...]
![By Vera Kratochvil [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://womensmentalhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Mother_Kissing_Baby-320x202.jpg)
Yesterday the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a final recommendation statement on Screening for Depression in Adults. The Task Force recommends that clinicians screen ALL ADULTS for depression and notes that the evidence [...]
A growing body of research indicates that the menopausal transition is a period of increased vulnerability to depressive illness. Â Some women have experienced episodes of major depressive disorder (MDD) earlier in life and experience recurrent [...]
About ten years ago, we ran a collaborative project with our obstetrics department here at MGH where we screened all new mothers for postpartum depression. Â The screening went well. Â Nearly all the women completed the [...]
Meet Christine. Â She is a married 30-year-old woman who just had her first baby about 3 weeks ago. Â While the pregnancy went smoothly, the experience of labor and delivery was difficult. Â After nearly 20 hours [...]
 We get many questions about the interaction between lamotrigine (Lamictal) and oral contraceptives (OCs).  While many readers raise concerns that lamotrigine may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, the primary interaction is actually in [...]
Women with bipolar disorder (BD) are at extremely high risk for postpartum psychiatric illness, specifically postpartum psychosis. Â While the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology now recommends that all women be screened for depression during [...]
