Yale Program For Women's Reproductive Behavioral Health (WRBH)

"Research in the Service of Patient Care"

The Yale Program For Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health (WRBH), formerly the Yale Behavioral Gynecology Program, is operated jointly by the Yale University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and the Connecticut Mental Health Center. WRBH is a women’s research program investigating the impact of hormones, mood, and cognition on the reproductive system and behavior. Cynthia Neill Epperson, M.D., the Director, began her career studying postpartum major depression in 1994. Under Dr. Epperson’s direction, the research program has developed over the past 10 years into a multi-faceted program that now provides research and treatment services for women experiencing mood-related changes prior to menstruation, during and after pregnancy, and during the menopause transition. The Program also studies several other areas of interest, including nicotine use in women.

Current Services and Research Studies

• Free consultation with a WRBH psychiatry resident regarding the use of psychotropic medication during pregnancy and lactation.


• Diagnosis and treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and related menstrual cycle problems through a research protocol involving neuroimaging techniques. Participants are compensated between $1010.00 - $2540.00 for their participation in this study, and also receive free medication treatment (HIC #10098). Women who do not experience symptoms of PMS prior to menses are also needed for our control group, and are compensated for their participation in this study.


• Diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depression through a neuro-imaging research protocol (HIC #9958). This study involves free antidepressant medication and free supportive therapy. Women must be within the first 3 months postpartum and breastfeeding. Women who are not experiencing any mood changes after delivery, and are within the first 3 months postpartum and are breastfeeding, are also needed for our control group. All participants can earn up to $200.


• Consultation and treatment through a research protocol regarding the impact of the menopause transition on mood and cognitive function (HIC #26533). This study involves treatment with an FDA-approved, non-hormonal medication. Participants receive free medication treatment and an extensive evaluation, but are not compensated for their participation in this study.


• Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) study examining the effects of short-term estrogen use on serotonin and brain function in peri-and post-menopausal women. Short-term estrogen use (10-12 weeks) is required for this study. Participants are compensated up to $1250.00 for their participation in this study (HIC #26567).


• Neuroimaging research study focusing on cigarette smoking and the menstrual cycle (HIC # 11080). Participants are compensated for their participation in this study. Non-smoking males and females are also needed for this study. Participants can earn up to $400 for their participation.

Eligibility:

All services and research studies at WRBH are at no cost to the client, and health insurance is not necessary. Financial compensation is provided for some studies. Certain criteria apply for research study participation. Only qualifying individuals will be eligible for research participation and treatment in the Program. All other individuals will be eligible for a no cost one time consultation with a member of the research staff provided the consultation is related to the focus of this Program. Please note that while Dr. Epperson is available for fee-for-service private consultations on a limited basis, she does not accept private, ongoing clients at this time.

For further information:

WRBH is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All appointments, with the exception of certain research appointments, occur during these hours. Studies and consultations are not conducted over the telephone. If you would like more information about a research study or would like to schedule an appointment, please call (203) 764-9934 or 1-800-ASK-YALE (press 2 for Yale Research Clinics and then press 1 for WRBH).  Your call will be answered or returned by a member of the WRBH research staff within 24-hours, and you will be screened over the telephone to determine your eligibility. Please note that WRBH is not an emergency-service. If you are experiencing an emergency, please contact your private physician or go to the nearest emergency room. Thank you for your cooperation.

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