Fetal programming is a term used to describe what happens when the fetus is exposed to changes in the intrauterine environment during pregnancy which have long lasting effects on the fetus which alter the physical [...]
 Many endocrinological, physical, and psychological changes occur in the adolescent years. Dysmenorrhea,or painful menses, is a relatively common complaint among adolescent girls.   A recent study in the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology explored [...]
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 [...]
![By Vera Kratochvil [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://womensmentalhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Mother_Kissing_Baby-320x202.jpg)
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 [...]
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is well-established as a treatment for anxiety disorders; however, few studies have examined the efficacy of CBT specifically tailored to address perinatal anxiety. A recent pilot study has explored the use of [...]
There is a growing body of literature which indicates that anxiety symptoms are common during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Anxiety during pregnancy places the woman at greater risk for postpartum depression and may also [...]
While we are becoming more attentive to screening for depressive symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period, we may not always ask about stressful life events, especially when a woman has had what most would [...]
About 15% of women experience either anxiety or depressive symptoms  during pregnancy.  While we have data to support the reproductive safety of various antidepressant and anxiolytic medications, our data regarding the effects of these medications [...]
Anxiety symptoms are relatively common during pregnancy but typically undiagnosed and undertreated. A recent study of 2793 women observed that 9.5% of women meet criteria for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) at some point during their pregnancy. The highest rates of GAD were observed in the first trimester (7%). Only 2% of women met criteria for GAD in the second trimester, and 3% in the third trimester.
In this study 62 women hospitalized for high-risk obstetrical complications completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), and Short-Form 12 (SF-12) weekly until delivery or discharge and once after [...]
