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women’s mental health

New FDA Warning on the Use of Antipsychotic Medications in Pregnancy

On February 22, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed healthcare professionals that drug labels for the entire class of antipsychotic drugs have been updated to include warnings regarding the use of antipsychotic drugs during pregnancy. The new drug labels now contain more details on the potential risk for abnormal muscle movements (extrapyramidal signs or EPS) and withdrawal symptoms in newborns exposed to these drugs during the third trimester of pregnancy.

By |2015-07-28T14:26:32-04:00March 9th, 2011|Antipsychotic Medications, Child Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off on New FDA Warning on the Use of Antipsychotic Medications in Pregnancy
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New Research from the CWMH: Escitalopram (Lexapro) for Hot Flashes

For decades, estrogen has been used to treat menopausal symptoms, including night sweats and hot flashes.  However, after studies reported that estrogen increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, many patients and clinicians have looked into alternative treatments for hot flashes, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram (Lexapro) significantly reduces the frequency and severity of menopausal hot flashes compared with placebo.

By |2016-03-28T13:02:56-04:00February 3rd, 2011|Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH, Treatment|Comments Off on New Research from the CWMH: Escitalopram (Lexapro) for Hot Flashes
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Antiepileptic Drugs in Breastfeeding: Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

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 safety of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in nursing infants, none have systematically assessed the long-term effects of exposure to these drugs on the cognitive development of children exposed to these agents through breastfeeding.  This is an especially important issue as it has been demonstrated that certain AEDs, most notably valproic acid, may negatively affect the developing brain, a process which occurs in utero and into the first few decades of the child’s life.

By |2025-06-26T09:08:17-04:00January 24th, 2011|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Breastfeeding & Medications, Child Outcomes, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Outcomes|Comments Off on Antiepileptic Drugs in Breastfeeding: Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
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American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends Screening for Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is experienced by 10-15% of women and carries risks to both mother and baby.  Untreated maternal depression is associated with negative outcomes for children including behavioral problems, cognitive or developmental delays and impaired attachment.  Treatment of a mother’s depression can improve not only her own functioning and quality of life, but can improve her children’s symptoms as well (Pilowsky 2008).  Given the importance of a mother’s mental health on her baby’s well-being, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a recent report which recommends that pediatricians screen mothers for postpartum depression at baby’s one-, two-, and four-month visits (Earls 2010).

By |2015-08-13T11:48:28-04:00January 10th, 2011|Depressive Disorders, Diagnosis & Screening, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off on American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends Screening for Postpartum Depression
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Zolpidem (Ambien) in Pregnancy: Is it Safe?

It is estimated that up to 95% of women experience some type of sleep disturbance during pregnancy.  While for many women the insomnia is relatively benign and may respond to simple interventions, other women experience more severe insomnia which has a significant impact on their quality of life and ability to function.  While zolpidem (Ambien), a sedative-hypnotic agent used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, is commonly prescribed in pregnant women, the information regarding its reproductive safety has been sparse.

By |2015-08-13T11:45:40-04:00November 22nd, 2010|Pregnancy & Medications, Sleep Disorders|Comments Off on Zolpidem (Ambien) in Pregnancy: Is it Safe?
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ACOG Focuses on Smoking Cessation in Pregnant and Postpartum Women

In the November issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued recommendations to providers regarding efforts to support smoking cessation in pregnant and postpartum women.

By |2017-05-05T11:50:17-04:00November 10th, 2010|Nicotine, Perinatal Substance Use, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevention, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off on ACOG Focuses on Smoking Cessation in Pregnant and Postpartum Women
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SSRI Use Associated with Reduced Intention to Breastfeed

Given the potential health benefits of breastfeeding on both mother and baby, the U.S. Public Health Service for Healthy People 2010 set a goal to have 75% of mothers breastfeed in the early postpartum period and 50% of mothers to continue breastfeeding to 6 months by the year 2010 (US Dept of Health and Human Services 2000).  Groups of women who are less likely to breastfeed have been targeted in this effort.

By |2015-08-13T11:37:06-04:00October 26th, 2010|Antidepressants, Breastfeeding & Medications, Outcomes, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off on SSRI Use Associated with Reduced Intention to Breastfeed
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