Transdermal estradiol for postpartum depression: a promising treatment option.

ABSTRACT: Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common unrecognized complication of childbirth and affects 1 out of 7 childbearing women. Although conventional pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic antidepressant treatments are effective for PPD, a natural alternative may be preferred by postpartum women, especially those who breastfeed their infants. The treatment of PPD with synthetic forms of naturally occurring estrogen is mechanistically appealing because PPD occurs in the context of estrogen withdrawal at parturition. Preliminary evidence suggests that PPD is a disorder of hormone-related mood dysregulation (similar to perimenopausal depression) that can be effectively treated with estrogen. This review provides the basic science and clinical background as well as safety considerations to supp

SUBMITTER: Moses-Kolko EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2782667 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature