Depression is more than just feeling “blue” or “down in the dumps” for a few days. It’s a serious illness that involves the brain. With depression, sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings don’t go away and interfere with day-to-day life and routines. These feelings can be mild to severe. The good news is that most people with depression get better with treatment.
What Causes Depression?
Depression is likely the result of many factors including genetics, recent changes in brain chemistry, stressful life events, and hormones. Hormones directly effect the brain chemistry that controls emotions and mood. Some women experience depression right before their period due to the hormonal changes happening in their body; it is entirely dependent upon what happens in your body.
Depression After Childbirth
Depression after childbirth is called postpartum depression. During pregnancy, your levels or estrogen and progesterone increase greatly. Within the first 24 hours after childbirth, hormone levels quickly return to normal create a “drop off”. This is a drastic change for your body and can push certain individuals into a depression.
Hormone Replacement Therapy is the available treatment for postpartum depression. Estrogen is available via patch, cream, gel, and spray from your local pharmacy (with a prescription). Dr. Davis would work with you to find the appropriate amount of estrogen needed for your body and begin treatment immediately to lessen or eliminate your postpartum depression.
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If you are experiencing postpartum depression, please contact our office at 530-332-9703!