Medication - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Infertile Women: Is it Better than Medication?

Research indicates that women undergoing infertility treatment experience high rates of psychological distress (1). Additionally, it is believed that stress and depression have an impact on fertility, as it has been shown that certain psychological interventions may improve pregnancy rates in infertile women (2-4). In a recent study, Faramarzi and colleagues compared the effects of group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), fluoxetine, and no treatment on the mental health of infertile women who had been trying to conceive for at least 2 years (5).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T14:32:54-04:00April 4th, 2011|Depressive Disorders, Infertility and Mental Health, Medication, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

Discontinuation of Antidepressants: Slower is Better

About half of all pregnancies are unplanned. In this situation, many women who conceive while on psychotropic medications decide to abruptly stop their medications when they discover they are pregnant. While this may seem like the safest option, in terms of protecting the developing fetus, we have data demonstrating high rates of relapse in women who discontinue antidepressant medications or mood stabilizers proximate to conception. We now have data (from several studies in non-pregnant populations) to indicate that the rate of medication discontinuation (abrupt vs. gradual) may also affect risk of relapse.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-13T11:01:51-04:00September 13th, 2010|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Medication, Pregnancy & Medications, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Should SSRIs Be Tapered Prior To Delivery?

Increased muscle tone, jitteriness, sleep disturbance, irritability, feeding problems, mild respiratory distress and myoclonus have been reported as symptoms of a potential neonatal distress syndrome related to exposure to SSRIs in late pregnancy. The average duration of symptoms reported is 48 hours. It is estimated that between 25-30% of SSRI-exposed infants are at risk for this syndrome. No treatment intervention is required. Reassuringly, follow-up studies have shown that at 2, 4, 6, and 8 months SSRI-exposed infants are indistinguishable from control infants without known exposure.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T17:01:53-04:00September 8th, 2010|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Medication, Pregnancy & Medications, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

The Importance of Proper Dosing of Antidepressants during Pregnancy

Pregnancy and the postpartum period is a time of increased risk for depression. Therefore, women who are treated with antidepressant medications must consider whether or not to stay on medication during pregnancy. Despite reassuring data regarding the reproductive safety of various antidepressants, a woman may prefer not to continue medication during pregnancy due to concerns about long term effects of medication on the baby. However, by discontinuing antidepressant medication, a woman increases her risk of depression during pregnancy. This is a highly personal decision for women as the potential risks of continuing medication must be weighed against the possibility of relapse and the potential effects of untreated depression on the pregnancy and baby.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:58:36-04:00August 30th, 2010|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Medication, Pregnancy & Medications, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Premenstrual Syndromes: What is the Optimal Duration of Treatment?

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) affect a large number of women of childbearing age. 30-80% of reproductive age women experience premenstrual symptoms. PMS refers to a pattern of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms occurring 1-2 weeks before menses and remitting with the onset of menses. Common symptoms include fatigue, poor concentration, mild mood changes, headaches, abdominal bloating, and breast tenderness.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:32:28-04:00December 21st, 2009|Medication, PMS & PMDD, Treatment|Comments Off

Pregabalin (Lyrica) for the Treatment of Hot Flashes

Although estrogen is highly effective for the treatment of hot flushes, many women are reluctant to use hormone therapy to manage these symptoms, given recent concerns that estrogen may carry certain risks. Several studies have demonstrated that gabapentin (Neurontin) and certain antidepressants, including paroxetine (Paxil) and venlafaxine (Effexor), may be useful non-hormonal treatments for the management of hot flashes. Data presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology indicate that pregabalin (Lyrica), an anticonvulsant drug similar to gabapentin, may also be helpful for alleviating hot flashes.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:19:18-04:00September 21st, 2009|Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Generic Medications

Many patients ask questions about generic medications, wondering how they differ and if they’re as safe and as effective as the more expensive brand name versions. To better understand this concept, we’ll discuss an example.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:56:26-04:00August 10th, 2009|Antidepressants, General, Medication|Comments Off

Using New Research to Inform Treatment Decisions during Pregnancy: A Case Report

As more research is conducted within the field of women's mental health, there are times when recommendations may change depending on the available data. We will discuss a case here to illustrate this point.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:09:25-04:00March 17th, 2009|Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Disorders, Medication, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Sildenafil (Viagra) Treatment of Women with Antidepressant-Associated Sexual Dysfunction

While some side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and headaches associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants tend to decrease or resolve over time, other side effects such as sexual dysfunction rarely remit spontaneously. Treatment of sexual side effects in women is especially important when about 30-70% of patients taking antidepressants may experience sexual side effects, combined with the fact that women are prescribed antidepressants at rates of 2 to 1 when compared to men.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T12:23:22-04:00January 6th, 2009|Antidepressants, General, Medication, Sexual Health, Treatment|Comments Off

Folic Acid Supplementation is Recommended for All Women Taking Anticonvulsants and Planning Pregnancy

Given recent discussions within our group and with our colleague, Lewis Holmes, MD, chief of the Genetics and Teratology Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and director of the North American AED (Antiepileptic Drug) Pregnancy Registry, I wanted to expand upon a previous blog post. In the initial post, I wrote that women who take certain medications, like mood stabilizers or antiepileptic drugs, are advised to take increased doses of folic acid before pregnancy and throughout pregnancy.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2025-06-26T09:08:21-04:00November 11th, 2008|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Bipolar Disorder, Medication, Mood Stabilizers, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off