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

Anticonvulsants and Bone Loss

Anticonvulsants are not only used for the treatment of epilepsy but are now used with increasing frequency for the treatment of mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder. Recent studies have indicated that anticonvulsants may negatively affect bone mineral density, as well as increase fracture risk. This seems to be especially common with the older anticonvulsants (e.g., phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and valproate); however, the data regarding lamotrigine and other newer anticonvulsants is much more limited. While bone loss is more often seen with long-term use of these medications, several reports indicate that decreased bone density may also be detected within the first 1-5 years of use.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2025-06-26T09:08:18-04:00May 18th, 2010|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, General, Mood Stabilizers, Outcomes|Comments Off

Lithium and Breastfeeding

Bipolar disorder (types I and II) affect up to 5% of the population in the United States. As the onset of this condition typically occurs during or before the reproductive years, the management of bipolar disorder in women is often complicated by pregnancy. There are concerns regarding fetal exposure to medication, the impact of untreated maternal illness, and data demonstrating that women are at increased risk for relapse during the postpartum period.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:23:57-04:00May 12th, 2010|Breastfeeding & Medications, Mood Stabilizers, Outcomes|Comments Off

New Oral Contraceptive Approved

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a combination oral contraceptive (OC) tablet called Natazia (Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals). It is a bit different from other OC preparations in that it contains 4 progestin/estrogen dosing combinations during each 28-day cycle (instead of being monophasic or triphasic), and it contains estradiol valerate (instead of ethinyl estradiol).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:36:46-04:00May 12th, 2010|Contraception, General|Comments Off

What’s Safer for Breastfeeding: Lithium or Lamotrigine?

After last week’s post, we received several comments regarding the use of mood stabilizers in breastfeeding women, specifically asking which is safer: lithium or lamotrigine.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2025-06-26T09:07:09-04:00May 4th, 2010|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Breastfeeding & Medications, Mood Stabilizers, Outcomes|Comments Off

Lamotrigine and Breastfeeding: An Update

Women with bipolar disorder are vulnerable to postpartum illness, and it is generally recommended that mothers continue treatment with a mood stabilizer throughout the postpartum period to reduce their risk of relapse; however, this recommendation is complicated by the all mood stabilizers are secreted into the breast milk, although their concentrations appear to vary considerably (Chaudron and Jefferson, 2000).

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2025-06-26T09:07:10-04:00April 27th, 2010|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Breastfeeding & Medications, Mood Stabilizers, Outcomes|Comments Off

When Health Care Providers Say the Wrong Thing

With increasing frequency, postpartum women who have taken antidepressants during pregnancy have shared – usually in tears – that while in the hospital for their labor and delivery hospitalization, a health care provider at the hospital said something judgmental about their being on an antidepressant. For example, one woman said that a nurse told her, “I can’t believe you took that during pregnancy.” Or, “Don’t you know how risky that is?!” Or “How could you do that to your baby?” This is often in the context of women using other medications in parallel for non-psychiatric indications, of which less may be known about the reproductive safety profile, but not addressed by the health care provider.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:30:09-04:00April 14th, 2010|Contraception, General|Comments Off

MOTHERS Act Becomes Law

As part of the landmark health insurance reform bill that passed Congress on Monday, the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act – legislation sponsored by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) – will become law. The legislation will establish a comprehensive federal commitment to combating postpartum depression through new research, education initiatives and voluntarily support service programs. The legislation is designed to:

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:28:04-04:00March 29th, 2010|Advocacy, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Fenugreek and Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has been associated with multiple medical and psychological benefits. Women with a strong desire to breastfeed, but with a limited milk supply, are often interested in potential ways to augment their milk production.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:27:11-04:00March 29th, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, Breastfeeding & Medications|Comments Off

Diet and Nutrition May Influence Risk for Depression

There has been a long held belief that diet may influence well-being. The phrase “you are what you eat” suggests that nutrition has an impact on physical as well as mental health. Until recently, however, there have been few studies that provide data to support this idea.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:25:39-04:00March 18th, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, General, Prevention|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

women’s mental health