Reproductive Psychiatry
Reproductive psychiatry is often overlooked in the medical field. As a member of the International Society of Reproductive Health, Dr. Sepah stays informed on current research on reproductive mental health and provides evidence-based treatments for women at various stages of their lives. From PMDD to postpartum depression and menopause, Pasadena Neuropsychiatry delivers the support that women need to thrive and live their best lives.
JANSSEN-DESIGNATED SPAVATO CENTER
Fortunately, there is help for treatment-resistant depression. Spravato or esketamine is a low dose of Ketamine administered through a nasal spray. It has been proven to effectively address treatment-resistant depression and other conditions that affect maternal mental health. Pasadena Neuropsychiatry is Janssen-designated Spravato Center that is ready to support mothers suffering from postpartum depression.
ZULRESSO
Roughly 50 to 80 percent of women experience the “baby blues” for a few days after giving birth. However, lingering mood fluctuations or feelings of depression may indicate that a new mother has postpartum depression. In this case, early intervention is key, and the symptoms probably need to be addressed medically. Postpartum depression or PPD is more common than people think. It affects 12.5 percent of women. Postpartum depression causes feelings of guilt and shame, anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, fear of self-harm or harming others, and suicidal thoughts.
An FDA-approved treatment for PPD is Zulresso or Brexalone. This medication requires an inpatient setting where it is administered intravenously, and medical professionals carefully monitor patients. Zulresso is a newer treatment and cannot be found everywhere. In fact, the only provider of Zulresso in the Los Angeles area is Dr. Sepah.
Other Treatments
Of course, reproductive psychiatry includes more than postpartum depression. Patients who experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) or hormonal changes associated with perimenopause and menopause may overlook their symptoms as a natural part of life. However, there is no need to suffer needlessly. Many women benefit from bio-identical hormones or traditional HRT, which we provide.
SOCAL TMS
In some instances, women experience PTSD or mood disorders such as OCD as well as postpartum psychosis after giving birth. In some of these cases, SoCal TMS may be the best option to alleviate their symptoms. The BrainsWay Theta Burst™ has promising studies that show potential benefits in treating patients with PTSD.
BrainsWay D™ is already approved for the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) along with treatment-resistant depression and anxious depression. These non-invasive procedures can be much more effective than medications alone.
No matter the stage of life a woman finds herself in, there is no reason to leave a mental illness untreated. A medical consultation will take various factors into account before the doctor recommends the best course of action. The severity of a patient’s symptoms and the risk of treatment are important to the discussion of treatment options. The risks and benefits of a course of action must be carefully weighed based on current labs, medical history, and support systems available to the patient. Pregnant and postpartum women require extra caution. However, leaving symptoms untreated can cause more harm than evidence-based interventions.