I broke down and listened to Megyn Kelly’s interview with Dr. Marty Makary. I “learned” from Megyn that it is “lefty” doctors who won’t prescribe hormone therapy. No really. I guess slapping MAHA on food worked so well, it’s going to be MAHA Menopause® now? I’ve done abortions in all trimesters and also prescribe menopause hormone therapy. I think every doctor I know who prescribes MHT is prochoice, but, look at me getting carried away with anecdotes!
The last five minutes of the interview sadly got my attention because I learned that the FDA was going to have a panel on SSRI safety during pregnancy. And it was going to start shortly. As in an hour. I had the time, so I decided to listen because I wanted to see how it compared with the menopause panel.
Yikes.
There was one bright, shining spot, Dr. Roussos-Ross, an OB/GYN and psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist. I misspoke in the live and got one of her board certifications wrong, she is not board certified in maternal fetal medicine.
Please watch my take above. I alternated between shocked and horrified at what some of the panel was saying. I’ve also included the response from the American College of OB/GYN below as well as the clip from the panel of Dr. Roussos-Ross presenting, because you should hear her speak as she is the expert!
ACOG Statement (link)
ACOG Statement on the Benefit of Access to SSRIs During Pregnancy
July 21, 2025
The following is a statement from Steven J. Fleischman, MD, MBA, FACOG, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):
“Today’s FDA panel on SSRIs and pregnancy was alarmingly unbalanced and did not adequately acknowledge the harms of untreated perinatal mood disorders in pregnancy. On a panel of 10 experts, only one spoke to the importance of SSRIs in pregnancy as a critical tool, among others, in preventing the potentially devastating effects of anxiety and depression when left untreated during pregnancy.
“Robust evidence has shown that SSRIs are safe in pregnancy and that most do not increase the risk of birth defects. However, untreated depression in pregnancy can put our patients at risk for substance use, preterm birth, preeclampsia, limited engagement in medical care and self-care, low birth weight, impaired attachment with their infant, and even suicide. Data also show that discontinuing SSRIs due to pregnancy or lactation can carry risks. Patients need access to evidence-based, compassionate treatment options so that they can continue their paths to parenthood in sound physical and mental health.
“Not every pregnant person needs SSRIs, but for those who do, they are life-changing and lifesaving. Mental health conditions are already the most frequent cause of pregnancy-related death. Unfortunately, the many outlandish and unfounded claims made by the panelists regarding SSRIs will only serve to incite fear and cause patients to come to false conclusions that could prevent them from getting the treatment they need.
“One false accusation that was repeated often during the meeting was that patients are deceived or are inadequately counseled by their doctors when it comes to the real effects of SSRIs. Patients who choose to continue taking SSRIs during pregnancy with the support of their ob-gyns do so following counseling on the risks and benefits that includes discussion of the data and consideration of their own needs, values and priorities.
“ACOG agrees with the panel’s assertion that randomized trials to assess the safety of SSRIs have not been conducted and should be prioritized. ACOG has consistently advocated for the inclusion of pregnant people in clinical trials to help ensure the safety and efficacy of medication taken during pregnancy, and was very supportive of the efforts by FDA and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to establish working groups for the Prioritization of Therapeutic Research Needs for Pregnant, Postpartum, and Lactating Persons. SSRIs were slated to be one of those working groups. However, that work has now been stalled due to the administration’s recent significant cuts to the NIH.
“It is dangerous to minimize the real effects from mental health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum. For the sake of our patients, ACOG continues to assert that all treatment options should be available for people struggling with their mental health during pregnancy.”
Dr. Roussos-Ross at the FDA Panel
