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Mindfulness Yoga for the Treatment of Depression During Pregnancy: A Pilot Study

Over the past decade, the clinical literature has published many studies documenting the psychosocial and health benefits of various mind-body interventions.  Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce stress, to improve coping skills, and to promote feelings of well-being.  Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a new psychotherapeutic treatment which has been shown to reduce depressive symptoms and to reduce the risk of depressive relapse. 

By |2015-08-12T11:59:23-04:00September 11th, 2012|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off on Mindfulness Yoga for the Treatment of Depression During Pregnancy: A Pilot Study
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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 |2018-06-08T09:03:31-04:00August 20th, 2012|Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH, Sleep Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off on New Research from the CWMH: Escitalopram and Sleep in Midlife Women with Vasomotor Symptoms
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Soy Supplements: No Effect on Cognition in Postmenopausal Women

Soy-based products have long been touted as a treatment for menopausal symptoms.  However, many of the clinical studies measuring the effectiveness of dietary sources of soy isoflavones (e.g., soy beverages, soy powder) for the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms (i.e., hot flushes, night sweats) have been negative.  Less is known about the effects of soy on cognition.  A large clinical trial suggests that soy may not have any positive effects on cognition in postmenopausal women.

By |2015-08-12T12:31:30-04:00July 18th, 2012|Alternative & Complementary, Cognition, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment|Comments Off on Soy Supplements: No Effect on Cognition in Postmenopausal Women
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Acupuncture Helpful for Reducing Anxiety in Women Undergoing IVF

Most women undergoing infertility treatment experience increased anxiety.  In a randomized clinical trial, researchers explored the effectiveness of acupuncture in diminishing anxiety in a group of women undergoing IVF.  43 patients undergoing IVF received either active acupuncture (n=22) or sham treatment (n=21).  Women with a history of psychiatric illness and those using antidepressants and/or anxiolytic drugs were excluded from the study.  Anxiety levels were assessed before and after treatment using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAS). 

By |2015-08-12T13:58:40-04:00July 10th, 2012|Alternative & Complementary, Anxiety Disorders, Infertility and Mental Health, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off on Acupuncture Helpful for Reducing Anxiety in Women Undergoing IVF
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Premenstrual Symptoms: What About Herbal Supplements?

Many women with PMS and PMDD ask about herbal remedies for the treatment of their symptoms.  WebMD recently reviewed this topic. The supplements most commonly mentioned for the treatment of PMS include chasteberry, evening primrose oil, Gingko biloba, St. John’s wort, and dandelion leaf.  Some important things to remember:

By |2015-08-12T14:02:34-04:00July 3rd, 2012|Alternative & Complementary, PMS & PMDD, Treatment|Comments Off on Premenstrual Symptoms: What About Herbal Supplements?
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In Brief: Menopausal Symptoms Usually Go Untreated

In this study, half of women aged 45 to 60 years reported experiencing menopausal symptoms. 69% of these women reported that their symptoms have negatively  affected their lives. Among the women who endorsed menopausal symptoms, 72% had not received any treatment for their symptoms and 77% reported that they had not discussed treatment options with their healthcare providers.

By |2016-07-22T13:44:53-04:00June 18th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off on In Brief: Menopausal Symptoms Usually Go Untreated
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Pomegranate Seed Oil for Hot Flashes?

While phytoestrogens have gained attention as possible alternatives to hormone therapy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, placebo-controlled studies have yielded mixed results.  Pomegranate seed oil is a very rich source of phytoestrogens.  In this prospective randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial, 81 postmenopausal women received two daily doses of either 30 mg pomegranate seed oil (PGS) or placebo.  The frequency of hot flashes decreased by 38.7% (P < 0.001) after 12 weeks of treatment with pomegranate seed oil and by 25.6% in the placebo group (P < 0.01). However, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.17).   The authors suggest that it may take a longer period of observation to demonstrate a difference between pomegranate seed oil and placebo.

By |2015-08-12T15:25:03-04:00May 29th, 2012|Alternative & Complementary, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off on Pomegranate Seed Oil for Hot Flashes?
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NAMS Supports the Use of Hormone Therapy in Perimenopausal and Recently Postmenopausal Women

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has updated its 2010 recommendations regarding the use of postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) based on evidence accumulated subsequent to the previous report.  In the decade since the first publication of the results from the Women's Health Initiative, we have accumulated evidence to indicate that multiple factors influence the effects of hormone therapy, including the type of estrogen used, the way the hormones are given, and the age and recency of menopause of the woman taking the medication. These factors also determine the risks associated with hormone therapy. 

By |2015-08-12T16:42:55-04:00March 21st, 2012|Hormone Therapy, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off on NAMS Supports the Use of Hormone Therapy in Perimenopausal and Recently Postmenopausal Women
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