Research at CWMH - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

New Research from the CWMH: Venlafaxine As Effective As Estradiol for Hot Flashes

Various selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and paroxetine (Paxil), have been shown to be effective for the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS). Other studies have supported the efficacy of the serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor). The FDA recently approved a 7.5-mg formulation of paroxetine (marketed as Brisdelle) as the first non-hormonal treatment of hot flashes.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:51-04:00June 2nd, 2014|Hormone Therapy, Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Research from the CWMH: Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids Effective for Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms?

Approximately seventy percent of all women experience hot flashes and/or night sweats during the menopause transition (Stearns et al, 2002). Until recently, estrogen therapy was the treatment of choice for most women who sought treatment for hot flashes, but today many women are pursuing non-hormonal treatments, including over-the-counter complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) for the treatment of these symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:33:37-04:00September 5th, 2013|Alternative & Complementary, Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

New Research from the CWMH: Vasomotor Symptoms Frequently Recur After Discontinuation of SSRI

For the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as hot flashes and night sweats, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective and well-tolerated. Positive effects are observed within 4 weeks of the initiation of treatment. However, we do not know how long treatment with an SSRI must be continued in order to maintain control of VMS. Nor do we know if VMS will recur after discontinuation of SSRI or if recurrent VMS may be less frequent or less bothersome after receiving SSRI treatment. A recent report from Dr. Hadine Joffe and colleagues at the Center for Women’s Mental Health assessed the recurrence of vasomotor symptoms in women treated with SSRIs.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:52-04:00May 13th, 2013|Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Remote Enrollment Initiated in MGH Study Assessing Mood Symptoms Across Infertility Treatment

We are pleased to announce the recent launch of an exciting new research initiative that is being conducted by the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women’s Mental Health. The Symptom Tracking in Assisted Reproductive Technologies study (START study) will focus on understanding the risk factors for depressive relapse in women undergoing infertility treatments. There has been a growing request in our clinical work to address the needs of women undergoing infertility treatments. It is our hope that such a study will provide important information on the course and risk of depression in women undergoing fertility treatment and thus inform clinical care.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:32:10-04:00May 7th, 2013|Depressive Disorders, Infertility and Mental Health, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

Research from the CWMH: Duloxetine for Menopausal Symptoms

A substantial proportion of women transitioning into menopause experience a new onset or recurrence of depressive symptoms. A new study from the Center for Women’s Mental Health indicates that duloxetine (Cymbalta) is effective for the treatment of depression and may also have a beneficial effect on vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T11:08:15-04:00April 29th, 2013|Depressive Disorders, Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

New Research from the CWMH: Escitalopram and Sleep in Midlife Women with Vasomotor Symptoms

Selective serotonin and serotonin-norepinephrine inhibitors (SSRIs and SNRIs) have been shown to be effective for the treatment of hot flashes. However, these agents may carry certain side effects, including sexual side effects and sleep disturbance. These two side effects may be particularly concerning to peri- and postmenopausal women who, in addition to having vasomotor symptoms, are more likely to experience sexual dysfunction and sleep disruption than premenopausal women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-06-08T09:03:31-04:00August 20th, 2012|Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH, Sleep Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off

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|Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

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|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

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|Depressive Disorders, Hormone Therapy, Menopausal Symptoms, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

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, Research at CWMH, Treatment|Comments Off