Snapshots

Mothers of multiples are 43% more likely to experience moderate or severe postpartum depression and depressive symptoms than are woman who have a singleton birth. The finding comes from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort, a longitudinal study of a nationally representative sample of children born in 2001. The study measured 8,069 women’s depressive symptoms at nine months post-delivery, adjusting for demographic and socio-economic characteristics and the mother’s mental health history. Unfortunately, regardless of the number of births a woman has, only 27% of the women with moderate or severe depressive symptoms reported that they had talked with any medical provider (including mental health providers) about these symptoms in the one-year period before the interviews were conducted. The study concluded that greater attention is needed in pediatric settings to address maternal depression, particularly for women who have had multiple births. We hope that better resources are made available to help all women who may be at risk.
Pediatrics, April 2009

If you felt your memory wasn’t quite at its best while going through “the change,” you were right! Almost two-thirds of women say they experience memory problems during perimenopause (when their when periods are either irregular or absent for 3—11 months). The study examined data from 2,000 women participating in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), a cohort study looking at the menopausal transition. The findings confirm that women do not learn as well while they are undergoing the menopausal transition. The good news is that cognitive performance does not actually decline during this time, it’s just more difficult than it was before. The study found that women’s learning abilities improved back to their earlier levels once the menopausal transition has been completed.
Neurology, May 2009

According to a new study, there are grave consequences for women whose healthy ovaries are removed during hysterectomy. Among women under 50 who had their healthy ovaries removed, the risk of heart attack and stroke nearly doubled and the risk of death (both in general and before age 50) rose by 40%, compared to women who didn’t have their ovaries removed. For years, doctors recommended having both ovaries removed during hysterectomy in order to prevent ovarian cancer later in life. But, the ovaries produce hormones that protect women from heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, all of which are far more common than ovarian cancer. While ovarian cancer is difficult to detect and treat, it accounts for only 3% of all cancers and 1% of deaths in all women. The Network has been an advocate for keeping healthy ovaries — we are pleased the medical community is finally listening!
Obstetrics & Gynecology, May 2009