women's mental health - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Pregabalin (Lyrica) for the Treatment of Hot Flashes

Although estrogen is highly effective for the treatment of hot flushes, many women are reluctant to use hormone therapy to manage these symptoms, given recent concerns that estrogen may carry certain risks. Several studies have demonstrated that gabapentin (Neurontin) and certain antidepressants, including paroxetine (Paxil) and venlafaxine (Effexor), may be useful non-hormonal treatments for the management of hot flashes. Data presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology indicate that pregabalin (Lyrica), an anticonvulsant drug similar to gabapentin, may also be helpful for alleviating hot flashes.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:19:18-04:00September 21st, 2009|Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Hot Flashes or Depression: Which Comes First?

Hot flashes and depression are both common symptoms of the menopause transition. Several studies have found a relationship between depression and hot flashes: depressed women are more likely to experience hot flashes and women with hot flashes are more likely to have depression. Other studies have found no association between hot flashes and depression.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:09:09-04:00September 14th, 2009|Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Examining Modifiable Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression

Approximately 10-15% of women will experience mood symptoms that meet criteria for a Major Depressive Episode during the postpartum period. However, as many as 50% of women may experience some level of depressive symptoms during the postpartum period. Recent evidence suggests that even depressive symptoms that do not qualify for a diagnosis of postpartum depression may have a negative impact on both mother and child. In spite of the fact that so many postpartum women will experience depressive symptoms, little research has been conducted in order to identify potentially modifiable factors that could reduce the risk of depressive symptoms or the development of a major depressive episode during this time.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:02:04-04:00August 31st, 2009|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevention|Comments Off

Lamotrigine and Pregnancy: An Update

While anticonvulsants, such as lamotrigine (Lamictal), topiramate (Topamax), and gabapentin (Neurontin), are being used with increasing regularity for the treatment of women with bipolar disorder, we have limited information with respect to the reproductive safety of the newer anticonvulsant agents. In 2006, we reported on preliminary data indicating an increased risk of oral clefts among infants exposed to lamotrigine during the first trimester of pregnancy.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2025-06-26T09:07:11-04:00August 25th, 2009|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Mood Stabilizers, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Depression and Menopausal Symptoms Go Together

It is well established that women are at increased risk for developing depression compared to men. It has been hypothesized that this vulnerability to depression may be hormonally mediated, and several longitudinal studies have documented an increased risk of depressive symptoms during perimenopause or the menopausal transition. Based on the results of two prospective cohort studies, approximately one-third of women will develop their first episode of depression during the menopausal transition. (Cohen LS et al 2006, Freeman EW et al 2006).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:58:10-04:00August 17th, 2009|Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Generic Medications

Many patients ask questions about generic medications, wondering how they differ and if they’re as safe and as effective as the more expensive brand name versions. To better understand this concept, we’ll discuss an example.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:56:26-04:00August 10th, 2009|Antidepressants, General, Medication|Comments Off

Can We Identify Women at High Risk for Postpartum Psychosis?

Postpartum psychosis occurs in about 1 to 2 per 1000 women after delivery. While there appears to be a strong link between postpartum psychosis and bipolar disorder, it is estimated that about half of women who present with postpartum psychosis have no psychiatric history prior to delivery, making it difficult to identify those women who are at greatest risk for this illness. A recent study, using data from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry, has examined possible risk factors that may be used to identify women at risk for postpartum psychosis.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2025-09-03T16:46:41-04:00August 3rd, 2009|Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Postpartum Psychosis, Prevention|Comments Off

Prepregnancy Depressive Mood is a Risk Factor for Preterm Birth

There have been multiple studies suggesting that depression during pregnancy increases the risk for preterm labor. Most studies do not attribute this increase in risk to antidepressant exposure, but to the effects of the depression itself. The mechanism is believed to be related to increased levels of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) which is triggered by stress. Elevated levels of CRH have been shown to be a predictor of preterm birth.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:53:20-04:00July 28th, 2009|Depressive Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Mental Health Parity in Massachusetts

Recent changes expanded the scope of mental health parity in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which requires insurance companies to cover specified diagnoses on a “nondiscriminatory basis”. This means that copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, unit of service limits- such as hospital days and outpatient visits, and/or annual or lifetime maximums are no greater for mental disorders when compared to physical conditions.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:51:49-04:00July 16th, 2009|Advocacy, General|Comments Off

What Would You Do? A Pregnant Women on Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

Ms. A is a 27-year-old woman who is seven weeks pregnant and is currently taking duloxetine (Cymbalta). She has a history of recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) and has had a good response to duloxetine at 60 mg per day. She has had four previous episodes of major depressive disorder (most untreated) and has been in remission for one year. Past episodes have lasted up to six months and caused difficulty with functioning at work and in relationships, although she was not diagnosed and treated until one year ago.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:50:32-04:00June 29th, 2009|Antidepressants, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

women’s mental health