title: Endocrine factors in the etiology of postpartum depression.
abstract: This article reviews the literature regarding endocrine factors postulated or presumed to be relevant in postpartum depression (PPD), a condition affecting at least 10% of childbearing women. The phenomenology and epidemiology of PPD are also described. Data suggest that parturition-related endocrine changes are causally implicated in PPD in a vulnerable subgroup of women. More specifically, studies by our group and others suggest a role for changes in estradiol and progesterone in precipitating mood symptoms among women with PPD. The mechanisms underlying such differential sensitivities remain undetermined. Future directions for research are explored.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Division, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Miki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bloch
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Rubinow
mesh_terms: D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015995:Prevalence; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol