Treatment - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

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

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: The Basics for Clinicians and Patients

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-13T11:26:19-04:00September 21st, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, General, 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

Massage Therapy for Depression

There are currently 100 clinical trials registered on clinicaltrials.gov using massage as a treatment. Six are listed for the indication of depression. A small minority are focused specifically on treating depression or anxiety, while in many the effects of massage for patients with serious medical conditions are being explored. Infant massage is also under study for developmental benefits. The number of randomized trials for verified psychiatric disorders using massage as an intervention are limited to date.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:56:28-04:00August 23rd, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, General, Treatment|Comments Off

Non-Pharmacologic Options for the Treatment of Antenatal Depression: A Quick Review

About 15% of women suffer from depression during pregnancy, and the rate of depressive illness is greater in women with pre-existing histories of depression. While there are data to support the use of certain antidepressants during pregnancy, many women are reluctant to seek pharmacologic treatment during pregnancy and may benefit from efficacious non-pharmacologic options. In a recent review article from Medscape, Christopher Tjoa and colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania summarize the literature assessing the efficacy of non-pharmacologic options for the treatment of antenatal depression.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:51:45-04:00July 27th, 2010|Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Depression During Pregnancy

Depression during pregnancy is relatively common, affecting about 10 to 15% of women. While there is a growing body of literature supporting the reproductive safety of certain antidepressants, many women and their physicians would prefer to avoid the use of these medications during pregnancy; thus, there is a clear need for effective non-pharmacologic treatments for women who suffer from depression during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:16:02-04:00February 23rd, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, 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

The Truth About Bioidentical Hormones

In increasing numbers, women who are candidates for hormonal replacement therapy are requesting “bioidentical” rather than synthetic hormones. Although there is a tendency to think of bioidentical hormones as “all-natural”, they, like synthetic hormones, are manufactured in the laboratory. In contrast to synthetic hormones, they are chemically identical to the hormones produced by the human body; synthetic hormones are structurally different yet are designed to have similar biological effects as naturally produced hormones.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-14T22:59:40-04:00November 23rd, 2009|Hormone Therapy, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off