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

Bipolar Disorder and Pregnancy: Should Medications Be Discontinued?

As many of the traditional mood stabilizers used to treat bipolar disorder, including lithium and valproic acid, carry some teratogenic risk and the reproductive safety of other medications, including the atypical antipsychotic agents, has not been well-characterized, many women with bipolar disorder decide to discontinue their treatment during pregnancy. A new study from Dr. Adele Viguera and her colleagues at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Emory University School of Medicine helps to better define the risks associated with discontinuing treatment during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:38:38-04:00March 7th, 2008|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Bipolar Disorder, Child Outcomes, Mood Stabilizers, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

New Research Study at CWMH: Treatment of Premenstrual Worsening of Depression

Seeking women between 18-45 with PMS who have been diagnosed with depression. If you are between 18 and 45 and:

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T10:15:59-04:00February 15th, 2008|PMS & PMDD, Research at CWMH, Treatment|Comments Off

Fertility and Antipsychotic Medications

Infertility is a problem which has gained increased attention over the past several decades. While many factors may contribute to infertility, some medications may also affect reproductive functioning and thus may have an impact on fertility. This post will focus on the antipsychotic drugs, which are now used to treat many psychiatric disorders other than schizophrenia, including insomnia, anxiety disorders, major depression and bipolar disorder.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T10:14:05-04:00February 14th, 2008|Infertility and Mental Health, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Reproductive Age Women Need Folic Acid

A few weeks ago, January 7-13, 2008, was National Folic Acid Awareness Week at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), therefore we wanted to take the opportunity to remind women of the importance of folic acid in the prevention of birth defects. Folic acid can prevent from 50-70% of neural tube defects, which are defects of the spine (spina bifida) or the skull (anencephaly). Spina bifida is the leading cause of childhood paralysis and anencephaly is nearly always fatal.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-07-27T12:48:15-04:00February 7th, 2008|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

ECT and Pregnancy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective treatments for depression, with response rates that are consistently higher than those observed in clinical trials of antidepressants. Furthermore, ECT may be more effective than medications for treatment-refractory depression. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) recommends ECT for patients who have had previous positive response to ECT or who are non-responsive to pharmacological treatments, as well as for those patients who experience severe psychiatric symptoms, including depression with psychosis. suicidal ideation, and mania.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-07-11T13:49:02-04:00January 30th, 2008|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Nutritional Supplements for Premenstrual Syndrome: Do They Work?

Many promote the use of certain vitamins and minerals for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), but controlled studies supporting the use of nutritional supplements are sparse.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T11:22:36-04:00January 24th, 2008|Alternative & Complementary, PMS & PMDD, Treatment|Comments Off

Smoking While Breastfeeding: What Are the Risks?

Approximately 25% of American women of reproductive age smoke tobacco, and many continue to smoke during and after pregnancy despite the known potential harm to their own health and to their child’s health. These health threats remain after the child’s birth as the baby is exposed to nicotine and other toxins in both ambient air and breast milk.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T11:21:17-04:00January 22nd, 2008|Breastfeeding & Medications, Nicotine, Perinatal Substance Use|Comments Off

Depression Related to Childbirth Affects One in Seven Women

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-07-11T13:52:07-04:00December 24th, 2007|Depressive Disorders, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off

What About Vagus Nerve Stimulation?

Vagus Nerve Stimulation, or VNS, has been available for the treatment of epilepsy since 1997 and was approved by the FDA for the adjunctive treatment of refractory depression in 2005. VNS relies upon the use of a surgically implanted device which delivers periodic stimulation to the vagus nerve. How VNS therapy works is not completely understood; however, several studies have suggested that this technique may be effective for some patients with treatment-resistant depression.