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

Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Prevent Onset of Psychotic Disorders in High Risk Populations

Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are devastating disorders that usually require chronic care and impact individuals and their family members greatly in terms of morbidity and mortality. Research has helped to identify those who may be at greatest risk for developing psychotic disorders. Strategies to prevent psychotic disorders would alleviate suffering and have great public health significance.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:15:02-04:00February 10th, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, General, Prevention, Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders|Comments Off

Anticonvulsant Use in Pregnancy and Nursing: Differences in Recommendations from Psychiatrists vs. Neurologists

There are strong parallels between the clinical management of bipolar disorder and epilepsy, and women with these disorders face significant challenges while pregnant or planning to conceive. In this setting, treatment decisions must balance the risks of recurrence of severe illness with the risks of potential harm to the fetus when certain medicines are taken during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:23:58-04:00February 3rd, 2010|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Breastfeeding & Medications, Mood Stabilizers, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Prenatal Use of Atypical Antipsychotics: Effect on Birth Weight

Atypical antipsychotic medications are commonly used for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Despite the increasing use of these medications in women of child-bearing age, there is still relatively little data addressing the reproductive safety of these medications.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:37:11-04:00January 25th, 2010|Antipsychotic Medications, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Pregnancy Outcomes|Comments Off

Intrauterine Cannabis Exposure Affects Fetal Growth

Although the risks of smoking tobacco while pregnant are well documented and well publicized to the general population, women continue to smoke cigarettes during pregnancy. Smoking cigarettes is known to increase a woman's risk of having a low-birth weight baby and increases the risk of preterm delivery. While clinicians often ask about and discourage tobacco use during pregnancy, much less attention has been devoted to the use of marijuana during pregnancy, despite the fact that marijuana is the most commonly consumed illicit drug among pregnant women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:33:51-04:00January 21st, 2010|Cannabis, Outcomes, Perinatal Substance Use, Pregnancy Outcomes|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

Panic Disorder Increases the Risk of Adverse Birth Outcomes

Anxiety often results in the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This activation is commonly known as the “fight or flight response”; symptoms may include increased heart rate, shortness of breath, perspiration, chest pain, and nausea or diarrhea. Activation of the fight or flight response is also associated with the activation of numerous other responses in the body, including the production of various stress hormones, including cortisol.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:26:31-04:00December 8th, 2009|Anxiety Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Clinical Question: Topamax and Seroquel in a Woman with Bipolar Disorder Planning to Breastfeed

A clinician asks: “I am a psychiatrist treating a patient with Bipolar Disorder on Seroquel and Topamax. I would like to know what information is available regarding the safety of these medications to the infant if used during breastfeeding.”

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2024-04-14T16:10:23-04:00December 1st, 2009|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Antipsychotic Medications, Breastfeeding & Medications, Mood Stabilizers|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

SSRIs and PPHN: A Review of the Data

In 2006, Chambers and colleagues published an article linking SSRI use during late pregnancy to an increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN). Since that time, several other reports have been published which have examined the association between SSRI antidepressants and PPHN. Here is a summary of the findings to date:

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:21:36-04:00November 10th, 2009|Antidepressants, Neonatal Symptoms, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Paroxetine (Paxil) May Affect Sperm Quality

Within the field of psychiatry, there is a growing body of literature studying the use of antidepressants in women in the context of pregnancy and the postpartum period. However, much less attention has focused on the impact of these drugs on fertility, particularly in men. Because major depressive disorders affect about one in 10 American men over their lifetimes, it is essential to study the effects of antidepressants on male fertility.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T13:31:57-04:00October 1st, 2009|Infertility and Mental Health, Sexual Health|Comments Off

women’s mental health