Observations placeholder
Transdermal estradiol for postpartum depression: a promising treatment option
Identifier
017934
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
The alternatives were phytoestrogens such as red clover and soy beans so we have added these in
A description of the experience
Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Sep;52(3):516-29. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0b013e3181b5a395.
Transdermal estradiol for postpartum depression: a promising treatment option.
Moses-Kolko EL1, Berga SL, Kalro B, Sit DK, Wisner KL.
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Women's Behavioral HealthCARE,Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. mosesEL@upmc.edu
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 support the application of transdermal estradiol as a treatment for PPD. We conclude that estradiol treatment for PPD requires confirmation of efficacy in a randomized clinical trial before routine clinical use as monotherapy.
Additional data regarding maternal tolerability of cyclic progestins, long-term safety of estradiol treatment, estradiol passage into breast milk and infants, and interdisciplinary collaboration among psychiatrists and gynecologists is also needed before estradiol is used in women who decline or fail to respond to first-line antidepressant treatments, or as an augmentation of conventional antidepressant treatment.
PMID:
19661765
The source of the experience
PubMedConcepts, symbols and science items
Concepts
Symbols
Science Items
Activities and commonsteps
Activities
Overloads
Estrogen imbalancePostnatal depression
Suppressions
EstrogenPhytoestrogens
Red clover
Soybeans