Clinically we see that many women with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder experience worsening of their symptoms prior to the onset of menses. We have less data on the impact of menstrual cycle on [...]
While about 5% of women have premenstrual dysphoric disorder, we more commonly see women who experience premenstrual exacerbation of mood and anxiety disorders. A small study of 15 women with borderline personality disorder (who were [...]
When we meet with women reporting premenstrual symptoms, we often recommend that they avoid the use of alcohol. Analyzing 19 previously published studies of alcohol and PMS, researcher found that risk for PMS risk [...]
Chasteberry, the fruit of the chaste tree or Vitex agnus castus, has long been touted as a remedy for a range of reproductive problems, including premenstrual symptoms or PMS. Two recent publications have reviewed data [...]
The following post was first published in Current Psychiatry, published September 2017, Vol. 16, No. 9, p. 20-28. Check out the article on Current Psychiatry or listen to Dr. Raffi discuss treatment of menstrual–related mood and anxiety [...]
In the field of reproductive psychiatry, we don’t really have any textbooks to rely on. However, the June issue of the Psychiatric Clinics of North America is devoted to Women’s Mental Health, and it’s pretty [...]
PMDD or premenstrual dysphoric disorder has always been a bit of mystery. We explain that PMDD is triggered by changes in reproductive hormone levels, but when you look at hormone levels in women with [...]
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is an herbal preparation which has been shown, in some studies, to be effective for the treatment of mild to moderate depressive symptoms. St. John’s wort is now one of [...]
This will be the last monthly roundup for now. Because there are so many publications to cover, we will try moving to a weekly roundup. This will allow us to better highlight the most important [...]
It has been hypothesized that both premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and postpartum depression (PPD) occur as the result of rapid shifts in the levels of ovarian hormones. Data regarding the prevalence of PPD among women [...]