New Research - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

New Research from the CWMH: Surgically Induced Menopause No Worse than Natural in Terms of Risk for Depression, Anxiety

Each year about 600,000 women in the United States undergo a hysterectomy. Somewhere between 55% and 80% of these women who also have their ovaries removed along with the uterus—a procedure known as oophorectomy. After the removal of the ovaries, menopause follows immediately and is associated with a constellation of symptoms including hot flashes and insomnia, as well as depression and anxiety.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:53-04:00August 2nd, 2012|Menopausal Symptoms, New Research|0 Comments

New Research from the CWMH: History of Depression and Anxiety Predict Lower Quality of Life in Midlife Women

The National Comorbidity Survey estimates that by the time women reach midlife, approximately 23% have experienced at least one episode of major depression and 30% have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Depression and anxiety disorders are each associated with impaired functioning and lower quality of life (QOL). There is also some data to suggest that, even after a depressive episode resolves, those with a history of a affective illness have a lower quality of life than those without histories of depression, with impairment in social and interpersonal functioning.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:53-04:00July 24th, 2012|Menopausal Symptoms, New Research|4 Comments

New Research from the CWMH: Progestins Do Not Negatively Affect Mood in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women

More than half of all women initiating treatment with hormone therapy will stop within the first year of treatment, most often because of side effects. Mood disturbance is a relatively common side effect that occurs with hormone therapy, and previous studies have suggested that progestins in the combined hormone preparations are responsible for these negative mood effects.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:53-04:00May 30th, 2012|Menopausal Symptoms, New Research|1 Comment

The National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics: Looking Ahead to 2012

We want to thank those of you who have continued to subscribe to our blog and who have visited our website. Some have written noting particular interest in the research conducted at the MGH Center for Women's Mental Health, including the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:23:57-04:00February 9th, 2012|New Research, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

New Research from the CWMH: Escitalopram (Lexapro) for Hot Flashes

For decades, estrogen has been used to treat menopausal symptoms, including night sweats and hot flashes. However, after studies reported that estrogen increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, many patients and clinicians have looked into alternative treatments for hot flashes, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram (Lexapro) significantly reduces the frequency and severity of menopausal hot flashes compared with placebo.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:56-04:00February 3rd, 2011|Menopausal Symptoms, New Research|10 Comments

Lithium and Breastfeeding

Bipolar disorder (types I and II) affect up to 5% of the population in the United States. As the onset of this condition typically occurs during or before the reproductive years, the management of bipolar disorder in women is often complicated by pregnancy. There are concerns regarding fetal exposure to medication, the impact of untreated maternal illness, and data demonstrating that women are at increased risk for relapse during the postpartum period.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:23:57-04:00May 12th, 2010|Breastfeeding and Psychiatric Medications, New Research|5 Comments

Anticonvulsant Use in Pregnancy and Nursing: Differences in Recommendations from Psychiatrists vs. Neurologists

There are strong parallels between the clinical management of bipolar disorder and epilepsy, and women with these disorders face significant challenges while pregnant or planning to conceive. In this setting, treatment decisions must balance the risks of recurrence of severe illness with the risks of potential harm to the fetus when certain medicines are taken during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:23:58-04:00February 3rd, 2010|Breastfeeding and Psychiatric Medications, New Research, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|3 Comments

New Research: Treatment Decisions by Pregnant Women with Bipolar Disorder

Choosing whether to maintain or discontinue mood stabilizer treatment during pregnancy requires weighing the risks of teratogenic outcomes associated with exposure to a particular drug against the risks of recurrence of untreated affective illness. However, [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:23:58-04:00September 19th, 2009|New Research, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

Postpartum Depressive Symptoms Increase the Risk of Smoking Relapse

While many women who smoke successfully quit smoking during pregnancy, most of these women return to smoking within 12 months of delivery. Several studies have suggested that certain factors may increase the risk of postpartum relapse, including unwanted pregnancy, multiparity, and stressful life events. Two recent studies indicate that postpartum depressive symptoms may also increase the risk of smoking relapse after delivery.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:23:58-04:00May 19th, 2009|New Research, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|1 Comment

Bipolar Disorder and PMS

Premenstrual worsening of mood is common among women with depression, but little is known about how often women with bipolar disorder experience worsening of their mood premenstrually. In a study by Payne et al. (2007), premenstrual symptoms were reported by twice as many women diagnosed with mood disorders (mixture of Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder) than by women who did not have a psychiatric diagnosis (67.7% vs. 33.7%). These results suggest that PMS symptoms are particularly common in women with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. However, this study involved women reporting prior experiences with PMS, which is not always as accurate as studies that involve prospective monitoring to obtain real-time reporting of PMS symptoms. Such prospective studies of PMS in women with bipolar disorder are sparse and have inconsistent conclusions.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:38:38-04:00December 15th, 2008|New Research, PMS and PMDD|12 Comments