Every week we review the most recent publications in women’s mental health, covering topics related to premenstrual symptoms, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, use of medications in pregnant and breastfeeding women, perinatal substance use, and menopausal mental health.
This week’s roundup includes several important studies on postpartum psychosis, underscoring both the seriousness of this condition and the need for better prevention, diagnosis, and support. The MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health Postpartum Psychosis Project (MGH-P3) continues to advance this field through studies exploring postpartum psychosis from genetic, clinical, and psychosocial perspectives, helping build a stronger foundation for care.
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Happy Reading!
Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD
PMS AND PMDD
Risk of perinatal psychiatric disorder among women with a history of premenstrual disorder: a nationwide register-based study from Sweden
Yang Q, Bränn E, Bertone-Johnson ER, Sjölander A, Fang F, Oberg AS, Valdimarsdóttir UA, Lu D. Mol Psychiatry. 2026.
In women with a history of premenstrual mood disorder, the study found increased likelihood of perinatal psychiatric disorders, with the strongest associations for bipolar disorder and perinatal depression.
INFERTILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH
No articles this week
PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS DURING PREGNANCY
ADHD looks different in women and poses unique health risks NPR. 2026 Jul 26.
This NPR feature highlights how ADHD in women is often missed or misattributed, and how delayed diagnosis can affect mental and physical health across the lifespan.
Women With Schizophrenia—Ignored and Aging
JAMA Psychiatry. 2026.
This viewpoint discusses sex differences in diagnosing and treating schizophrenia, with attention to how women’s needs may be overlooked over time.
Perinatal obsessive-compulsive symptoms and maternal-infant bonding: A longitudinal examination of depression and relationship quality
Perinatal OC symptoms may indirectly affect maternal-infant bonding through depressive symptoms, while relationship quality appears to be a general protective factor.
Subjective sleep disruption, coping, and anxiety and related symptoms in the perinatal period: Findings from a longitudinal study
Shorter sleep duration predicted later perinatal anxiety and obsessive symptoms, suggesting sleep disruption may be an early marker of escalating distress.
MEDICATIONS AND PREGNANCY
Risk of Major Malformations Following First-Trimester Exposure to Cariprazine: Preliminary Data From the MGH National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications
Viguera AC, Freeman MP, Slaby EK, Manuelian AM, Gaccione P, Chitayat D, Hernández-Díaz S, Cohen LS. Bipolar Disord. 2026;28(5):e70138.
Preliminary data suggest that cariprazine is not a major teratogen.
Pregnancy Outcomes After First-Trimester Exposure to Vortioxetine: Prospective Outcomes From the MGH National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications
Freeman MP, Viguera AC, Manuelian AM, Grassi EJ, Murphy BB, Cohen LS. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2026. Advance online publication.
Preliminary data suggest that vortioxetine is not a major teratogen.
Prenatal Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) Use and the Risk of Autism and/or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among Sibling-Matched Cohorts
JAMA Internal Medicine. 2026.
In a large sibling-matched cohort, prenatal acetaminophen exposure was not associated with increased risk of autism or ADHD in children.
Epidemiology of bipolar disorder with concomitant pregnancy-induced hypertension and associated pharmacotherapies in the United States, Canada and Saudi Arabia over a five-year period (2019-2023)
This study found a slightly increased risk of hypertensive disorders among those receiving bipolar disorder pharmacotherapy, though confounding by illness severity could not be ruled out.
POSTPARTUM PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS
Enhancing support for postpartum psychosis through a socio-ecological lens: A qualitative analysis
Scalise AL, Yoon HE, Barest PE, Gaw ML, Freeman MP, Cohen LS, Vanderkruik RC. J Health Psychol. 2026.
This qualitative analysis uses a socio-ecological lens to identify ways to strengthen support for postpartum psychosis.
Genetic architecture of postpartum psychosis: from common to rare genetic variation
Jung S, Caballero M, K?pi?ska A, Smout S, Munk-Olsen T, Robakis TK, Bergink V, Mahjani B. Mol Psychiatry. 2026.
The study found shared genetic pathways between postpartum psychosis and other psychiatric and autoimmune conditions, supporting a substantial biological contribution.
Optimal care for mother and baby in severe postpartum mental illness
Sanadi R, Rao R, Klier C, Das N, Chandra PS. Neuropsychiatr. 2025.
This narrative review synthesizes evidence and guidelines for managing severe postpartum mental illness in outpatient settings and mother-baby units.
Effectiveness of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in alleviating postpartum blues following cesarean delivery: A randomized double-blind controlled trial
Qian Cheng, Man Lu, Yi Chen, Qiuwan Han, et al.
At one month postpartum, active taVNS reduced postpartum blues scores, postoperative pain, and early sleep disruption compared with sham treatment.
Temporal Dynamics of Antidepressant Response Following Brexanolone Treatment in Postpartum Depression
Participants responded quickly to brexanolone, with most reaching remission within 44 hours and improvements in mood, anhedonia, rumination, and maternal functioning persisting to 30-day follow-up.
MEDICATIONS AND BREASTFEEDING
No articles this week
PERINATAL SUBSTANCE USE
No articles this week
MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH AND CHILD OUTCOMES
Higher Maternal Vitamin D Levels Linked to Lower Risk for ASD and ADHD
Psychiatry Advisor. 2026.
Higher maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy were associated with a lower risk of ASD and ADHD diagnoses and symptoms in offspring.
MENOPAUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH
No articles this week
OTHER TOPICS IN WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH
Psychiatric Disorders Among Fathers in Sweden Before, During, and After Partner Pregnancy
Xiang N, Zhou J, Lin Y, Yang Y, Martini M, Tang B, Chen Y, Papadopoulos FC, Fransson E, Skalkidou A, Huang J, Lu D. JAMA Netw Open. 2026.
Fathers in Sweden were less likely to be diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder during a partner’s pregnancy and early postpartum than before conception, but incidence returned to comparable levels afterward.
