Postpartum Depression

What Causes Postpartum Depression? Brain Changes, Hormones, and Risk Factors

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IntroductionWhat is PPD?Structural brain changes from pregnancy to the postpartum periodHow does the brain change during PPD?Hormones and the HPA axisGenetic and epigenetic contributionsPsychosocial and environmental risk factorsPregnancy and perinatal medical factorsImplications for prevention and managementReferencesFurther reading Postpartum depression is more than a mood disorder after birth; it reflects a complex interplay of brain remodeling, … Read more

Postpartum Psychosis Risk Linked to Sister’s Medical History

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LOS ANGELES — Risk for postpartum psychosis is significantly higher in women who have a sister who has experienced the condition and/or has bipolar disorder (BD), a new study showed. In a population-based cohort study of nearly 1.7 million women, those with a full sister who had had the disorder were 10 times more likely … Read more

Hormonal contraceptives linked to higher postpartum depression risk

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New research explores whether routine hormonal contraception after childbirth may be quietly fueling a rise in postpartum depression — and what it means for millions of mothers. Study: Postpartum Hormonal Contraceptive Use and Risk of Depression. Image Credit: sweet_tomato / Shutterstock.com A recent study published in JAMA Network Open investigates whether the use of hormonal contraception … Read more

Updates in Depression Treatment: From MAOIs to Psychedelics

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The French Society for Biological Psychiatry and Neuropsychopharmacology has unveiled revised guidelines for the management of depressive disorders with partial and resistant responses to treatment. The update was presented at the 43rd edition of the Congrès de l’Encéphale, France’s leading psychiatric event, held in Paris from January 22 to 24, 2025. Professor Antoine Yrondi, a … Read more

Antidepressants in Pregnancy: Sudden Withdrawal Is Risky

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Depression poses serious health concerns, particularly during pregnancy and after childbirth. Recent data from the United States are alarming, showing that nearly half of women stop taking antidepressants during pregnancy. A study published in JAMA Network Open highlights this trend, which may have serious consequences for both mothers and their children. The study, led by … Read more

Postpartum depression research could lead to blood test for at-risk women

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New postpartum depression research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Weill Cornell Medicine could lead to a blood test to identify women at risk and possibly even to a preventive treatment. The research suggests that pregnant women may have characteristic levels of certain molecules in their blood that can warn that they … Read more