How often do women use non-drug treatment methods for psyschiatric symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum periods?

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medical applications (CAM) and non-drug treatments of women during their pregnancies, postpartum periods and the changes between these periods. The Screening Form for Non-pharmacologic Methods Used during Pregnancy and Postpartum period was administered to the participants. Passiflora (Incarnata), Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort), omega 3 supplements, bright light treatment, transmagnetic stimulation, S-adenosyl- methionine, herbal teas, biofeedback/neurofeedback, amulets, exercise, acupuncture and psychotherapy were investigated. The ratio of the use of one of the CAM methods for psychiatric complaints during people's lifetime was found to be 33.3% (n=162). Herbal teas were the main practice used during pregnancy (58.8%) and the postpartum. The use of CAM according to the utilization periods of the participants statistically significantly decreased in those who were currently pregnant (Cochran's Q=298.007; P<0.05). The use of participants' non-drug treatments in the periodical follow-up decreased in those who are currently pregnant and increased during the postpartum period.

Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: relationship with anxiety and depression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between either depression or anxiety early in pregnancy, and nausea and vomiting, in a clinical sample. METHODS: Anxiety and depression scores of 230 women were investigated by using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) were scored by using the Rhode's system. These scores and demographic data were compared and P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A significant correlation between Rhode's score and both anxiety (r=0.388, P < 0.001) and depression score, (r=0.351, P < 0.001) was found. Gestational age showed and inverse correlation with anxiety scores (P=0.019). There was no significant correlation between demographic data and anxiety/depression scores, or Rhode's scores. CONCLUSION: There is an association between anxiety and depression early in pregnancyand severity of NVP.

Meibomian gland alterations in polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrinopathy characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism where hyperinsulinemia can be seen. Hormonal changes can affect meibomian gland function. In this study, we evaluated tear function in PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven women having PCOS and 22 normal individuals aged between 18-42 years were enrolled in the study. Patients were asked about dry eye symptoms. Schirmer test, tear film breakup time, and rose Bengal staining were performed. Conjunctival brush cytology specimens were obtained and goblet cell count was done. RESULTS: Dry eye symptoms were more frequent in subjects with PCOS (p=0.025). Mean breakup time was shorter in women with PCOS (p=0.034). Schirmer test results, rose Bengal staining scores, and goblet cell count were not different between groups (p=0.48, p=0.18, p=0.82, respectively). CONCLUSION: Meibomian gland function and tear film lipid layer can be affected in cases with PCOS.

Transient postpartum diabetes insipidus associated with HELLP syndrome.

Diabetes insipidus in pregnancy has different causes. The association of diabetes insipidus with disturbances of liver function has been reported, however, diabetes insipidus has rarely been reported in HELLP syndrome. We present a 23-year-old primigravida with a singleton gestation complicated by HELLP syndrome who developed postpartum diabetes insipidus. Labor was induced promptly to terminate pregnancy because of intrauterine fetal death and liver dysfunction. 1-deamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin was administered. Diabetes insipidus and liver dysfunction resolved within 2 weeks. Development of diabetes insipidus may result from increased vasopressinase activity mainly caused by deterioration of liver functions caused by HELLP syndrome. In pregnant women with liver disease as a result of any cause, the development of diabetes insipidus should be assessed with particular attention.

Single dose nasal 17beta-estradiol administration reduces sympathovagal balance to the heart in postmenopausal women.

AIM: Long-term estrogen replacement therapy has favorable results on autonomic cardiovascular functions in postmenopausal women. Although acute estrogen administration has beneficial modulations on autonomic tone in animal studies, there are still controversies about the effects of acute estrogen on autonomic modulation to the heart in humans. The aim of this double-blind study was to investigate the acute effects of intranasal 17beta-estradiol administration on autonomic control of heart rate. METHODS: Nineteen postmenopausal women with typical hormone profiles were crossover randomized to 300 micro g nasal 17beta-estradiol (Aerodiol, Servier, Chambray-les-Tours, France) or an identical placebo at least 5 days apart. Both time domain and frequency domain heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were obtained during controlled respiration (CR) and handgrip exercise (HGE), before and 45 min after 17beta-estradiol or placebo administration. RESULTS: Baseline HRV parameters were similar for each occasion. Time domain indices obtained after 17beta-estradiol administration were not significantly different from results obtained with the placebo. In frequency domain parameters, 17beta-estradiol administration resulted in a reduced low frequency to high frequency ratio (LF/HF ratio) when compared with the placebo during CR (0.72 +/- 0.09 vs 1.00 +/- 0.15, P < 0.05) but not during HGE (3.03 +/- 0.37 vs 2.86 +/- 0.30, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A single intranasal 17beta-estradiol administration acutely reduced sympathovagal balance to the heart during the course of parasympathetic maneuver in healthy postmenopausal women.

Ovarian abscess due to Brucella melitensis.

The case of a 25-y-old woman with brucellar ovarian abscess is reported. Cultures of blood, ascites and a pus specimen yielded Brucella melitensis. The possibility of ovarian abscess being caused by Brucella melitensis should be considered in countries where the infection is endemic.