Causes of Postpartum Depression

What we know about possible causes for postpartum depression/postpartum mood disorders.

Jan 21, 2007

Many experts believe that the causes of postpartum depression/postpartum mood disorders are related to hormones, yet that is clearly only part of the story.

Even though some postpartum mood disorders occur to almost every woman, a single cause is not known. Most of the research has centered around hormone changes, yet these cannot account for incidences of postpartum mood disorders found even among mothers who adopt babies for example.

Hormone/Biologic Causes

It is very likely that at least part of the cause for PPD is related to hormones. One study showed similarities between certain hormone levels of mothers during the postpartum period (what is called hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal or HPA levels) and other women not in postpartum who suffer from chronic depression.

Another recent study suggests that one possible cause may be the drop in insulin that mothers experience in the postpartum period. The drop in insulin reduces the level of serotonin in the brain, which is well-known for its ability to affect mood disorders.

Marital/Self-esteem Causes

Marital dissatisfaction is not only a risk factor but may also be a cause for PPD. Mothers who are closer to their spouses/partners are less likely to develop PPD. Some research shows that receiving a daily massage from their partner dramatically reduced the incidence of PPD for some mothers. So clearly a poor marital relationship can play a role in PPD, while a good marital relationship appears to reduce PPD symptoms.

Health/Fatigue Causes

There is some evidence that postpartum mood disorders may be directly related to the fatigue women experience. One study (JOGYNN, 2005) showed that the level of fatigue mothers reported at two weeks' postpartum was the best predictor of later postpartum mood disorders at four weeks' postpartum. Perhaps the lack of sleep adds to the mother's inability to care for herself and her baby.

Sociocultural Causes

One of the ways that researchers discover possible causes is to study what works to treat women with PPD. One study in 2006 indicated that when potentially "at risk" mothers, who were disadvantaged received individual psychotherapy (counseling), it greatly reduced their chances of developing major PPD. It is possible then, that financial difficulties can be a contributor to PPD.

There are likely many potential triggers or causes for PPD. Fortunately since so much media attention has centered around some of the tragedies resulting from PPD, we are learning more and more about the causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment.

Be sure to see the related article on causes of depression which may not be related to the postpartum period.

Have you suffered from prenatal or postpartum depression? Share your thoughts with us on the forum.

The copyright of the article Causes of Postpartum Depression in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Brenda Lane. Permission to republish Causes of Postpartum Depression in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.