Trusted Information for Healthy Pregnancies
women’s mental health
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Fertility (Part 2): What Can Basic Science Tell Us?
Jul 5th
Serotonin (5-HT) is one of the neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation and has been implicated in the development of mood and anxiety disorders. Serotonin transporters (SERT) facilitate the transfer of serotonin into neurons; serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants bind to these transporters and appear to exert their effect on mood by inhibiting the reuptake of [...]
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Fertility (Part 1): A Clinical Perspective
Jul 1st
We previously reported that paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), may affect sperm motility and may thus have a negative impact on male fertility. Many women who are planning a pregnancy question whether SSRIs and other antidepressants may affect fertility; this is obviously a particularly important issue for those who are having difficulty conceiving. [...]
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Fertility (Part 1): A Clinical Perspective
Jun 30th
We previously reported that paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), may affect sperm motility and may thus have a negative impact on male fertility. Many women who are planning a pregnancy question whether SSRIs and other antidepressants may affect fertility; this is obviously a particularly important issue for those who are having difficulty conceiving. [...]
Generalized Anxiety in Pregnancy
Jun 21st
Few studies have focused on anxiety disorders in the perinatal period. While various studies have measured levels of anxiety or distress during pregnancy, most studies have relied upon self-report questionnaires to assess for anxiety. In contrast, few studies have used standardized diagnostic criteria to determine the prevalence of anxiety disorders in pregnant populations. In a [...]
Postpartum Depression and Poor Sleep Quality Occur Together
Jun 6th
In a new mother, sleep is disrupted by repeated awakenings of the infant, but hormonal factors also seem to play a role. Immediately after childbirth, levels of the reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone, drop precipitously. It is believed that, because these hormones modulate neurotransmitter systems in the brain responsible for sleep quality, this dramatic hormonal [...]
In Utero Exposure to Antipsychotics
May 17th
May 2011, ObGyn News, Lee S. Cohen, MD Reprinted with permission from Ob. Gyn. News Copyright by International Medical News Group, an Elsevier company Previous columns on the reproductive safety of psychiatric medications have focused on the attendant risks of fetal exposure to antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and mood stabilizers such as lithium and sodium valproate. [...]
Choice of Antidepressant May Affect Survival in Women on Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer
May 2nd
Tamoxifen is a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) used in women with breast cancer; it reduces the risk of relapse and improves overall survival. Tamoxifen may also be used to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease. In order to be fully effective, tamoxifen must be metabolized to [...]
Anxiety During Pregnancy: How Does it Affect the Developing Fetal Brain?
Apr 11th
During fetal life, neurons proliferate, migrate and form connections, providing the structure of the developing brain. Neurons reach their final destinations by the 16th week of gestation, while branching and making appropriate connections occur even before that time (1). The brain continues to develop during the entire pregnancy, with most of the synapse formation in [...]
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Infertile Women: Is it Better than Medication?
Apr 4th
Research indicates that women undergoing infertility treatment experience high rates of psychological distress (1). Additionally, it is believed that stress and depression have an impact on fertility, as it has been shown that certain psychological interventions may improve pregnancy rates in infertile women (2-4). In a recent study, Faramarzi and colleagues compared the effects of [...]
Atomoxetine Improves Memory and Attention in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women
Mar 28th
Many peri- and post-menopausal women describe problems with memory and attention. Data regarding the use of estrogen replacement therapy to improve cognitive functioning has been mixed. Furthermore, recent concerns regarding the long-term risks of ERT have limited its use. A recent report from C. Nell Epperson and colleagues from the University Of Pennsylvania School Of [...]