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

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Some Risk But No Impact on Mortality

While there are concerns regarding the risks associated with prolonged use of hormone replacement, an increasing number of studies suggest that the risk may be relatively low in certain settings. A study presented this week at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting which analyzed data from 43 randomized clinical trials suggests that menopausal hormone-replacement therapy does not appear to affect mortality either positively or negatively.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-05T10:19:09-04:00March 12th, 2015|Hormone Therapy, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms Last Longer than Five Years for Most Women

Up to 80% of women experience vasomotor symptoms (VMS) as they transition into the menopause phase. While clinical guidelines suggest that VMS typically last from 6 months to 2 years, we often see women with VMS lasting for a much longer period of time. To more accurately assess the duration of VMS in perimenopausal women, researchers analyzed data from 1449 women included in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), an observational study of women entering menopause. Here is a summary of the key findings:

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-02-25T12:02:26-04:00February 25th, 2015|Menopausal Symptoms, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Happy New Year: Let’s Start By Taking a Look Back to 2014

2014 was a huge year in the field of Reproductive Psychiatry. Never before have we seen so many articles published in this specialty. Much attention has focused on the reproductive safety of psychotropic medication; however, we have seen an increased interest in the mental health of women and a greater appreciation of how psychiatric illness in the mother may affect the entire family, including her unborn child and family.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-01-08T11:43:36-04:00January 8th, 2015|Weekly Roundup|Comments Off

Self-Compassion: A Cure for Menopausal Symptoms?

About 75% of peri- and postmenopausal women have vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats; however, some women experience more distress or "bother" in response to these symptoms. A new research study suggests that certain personality traits may affect how women experience these uncomfortable symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-07-28T10:47:14-04:00July 23rd, 2014|Menopausal Symptoms, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

Breastfeeding and Anti-Epileptic Medications

Because breastfeeding has many psychological and medical benefits for both the mother and her child, many women would like to breastfeed. However, all medications taken by the mother are secreted into the breast milk. While various studies have addressed the short-term safety of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in nursing infants, none have systematically assessed the long-term effects of exposure to these drugs on cognitive development.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2025-06-26T09:08:10-04:00June 24th, 2014|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Breastfeeding & Medications, Outcomes|Comments Off

Clinical Update 2014: Use of Methylphenidate During Pregnancy

For women with mild to moderate attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, we frequently recommend discontinuing medication and switching to a non-pharmacologic intervention. Although these women might experience some decrease in their level of functioning, they typically [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2017-12-22T14:40:20-04:00March 19th, 2014|ADHD Medications, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

Novel Approaches to Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Side Effects: Exercise and Acupuncture

Sexual side effects may occur in 40% to 70% of patients treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and is a common reason for poor compliance with treatment and eventual discontinuation. When sexual side effects occur, they tend to emerge early, are persistent, and rarely resolve spontaneously. A new study, reviewed in Medscape, suggests that exercise may help to reduce sexual side effects:

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-05-11T12:07:52-04:00December 10th, 2013|Antidepressants, General, Sexual Health, Treatment|Comments Off

Research from the CWMH: Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids Effective for Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms?

Approximately seventy percent of all women experience hot flashes and/or night sweats during the menopause transition (Stearns et al, 2002). Until recently, estrogen therapy was the treatment of choice for most women who sought treatment for hot flashes, but today many women are pursuing non-hormonal treatments, including over-the-counter complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) for the treatment of these symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:33:37-04:00September 5th, 2013|Alternative & Complementary, Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Soy Supplements for Menopausal Symptoms: Higher Doses and More Frequent Dosing May Help

Studies assessing the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) for the treatment of menopause-related hot flashes have yielded conflicting results. Most studies have demonstrated that treatments such as soy and black cohosh are not likely to be effective in most women; however, a new study suggests that women who take higher doses (100 to 200 mg)of isoflavones and more frequent dosing (2-3 times per day) may experience a greater reduction in the frequency of hot flashes.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T10:30:22-04:00May 17th, 2013|Alternative & Complementary, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Remote Enrollment Initiated in MGH Study Assessing Mood Symptoms Across Infertility Treatment

We are pleased to announce the recent launch of an exciting new research initiative that is being conducted by the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women’s Mental Health. The Symptom Tracking in Assisted Reproductive Technologies study (START study) will focus on understanding the risk factors for depressive relapse in women undergoing infertility treatments. There has been a growing request in our clinical work to address the needs of women undergoing infertility treatments. It is our hope that such a study will provide important information on the course and risk of depression in women undergoing fertility treatment and thus inform clinical care.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:32:10-04:00May 7th, 2013|Depressive Disorders, Infertility and Mental Health, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

women’s mental health