Shedding Light on Postpartum Depression and Menstrual Cycle-Related Mood Changes

Shedding Light on Postpartum Depression and Menstrual Cycle-Related Mood Changes 

In the vast landscape of maternal health, postpartum depression stands as a shadowed corner often overlooked. This blog post aims to address the lack of information surrounding postpartum depression, shedding light on this crucial aspect of women’s mental health. Additionally, we’ll explore the lesser-known connection between mood changes and the menstrual cycle, offering insights into premenstrual depressive episodes.

Understanding Postpartum Depression: 

• Common symptoms and risk factors. 

Common symptoms of postpartum depression include sleep disturbances, irritability, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, anger outbursts, tearfulness, and being preoccupied with the baby’s health or feeding. Link: 

• Intensity and duration of postpartum depression.

Many of the symptoms associated with postpartum depression can also be considered normal for some women. The intensity of the symptoms and how they affect a woman’s ability to adjust and cope with life stressors are key components to correctly diagnosing PPD. Link: 

• The distinction between “baby blues” and clinical postpartum depression

Baby blues are feelings of sadness, anger, and helplessness that usually occur following the first few days the baby is born, and go away fairly quickly. Postpartum depression entails similar or even the same symptoms, but in PPD the feelings intensify immensely and last much longer. Link. 

 The Silence Surrounding Postpartum Depression:

• • Societal tendency to overlook postpartum depression.
  • Many women with postpartum depression experience high levels of anxiety, says Claremont psychologist Dr. Katayune Kaeni.  And that’s one key reason the condition often goes undiagnosed, she says
  • Many women with postpartum depression experience high levels of anxiety, says Claremont psychologist Dr. Katayune Kaeni.  And that’s one key reason the condition often goes undiagnosed, she says. Link

• Statistics to emphasize its prevalence and the need for awareness.

• • “To put it into perspective, it’s important to note that the percentage of patients who experience postpartum depression is much higher than the number of patients who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which is between two and 10 percent,” Gearhart said. Link.

• • “About 1 in 7 new mothers end up developing postpartum depression. As many as half of all women who have postpartum depression are not diagnosed or do not seek treatment for it.” Link. 
    
  • “During the postpartum period, up to 85% of women experience some type of mood disturbance; the AAP estimates that more than 400,000 infants are born each year to mothers who are depressed. [9] Although for most women, symptoms of mood disturbance are transient and relatively mild (ie, postpartum blues), 10-15% of women experience a more disabling and persistent form of depression, and 0.1-0.2% of women experience postpartum psychosis.” Link.

• • The impact of societal expectations and stigma on new mothers.
    Our society’s notion that a woman achieves her uttermost fulfillment as a woman by being a mother and, as such, should always be happy and strong is a myth. It places an unrealistic expectation on mothers to be fully functional and happy, to be a Super Mom, if you like, despite exhaustion, lack of support, or isolation, let alone depressed mood. Link. 

Breaking the Taboo:

• Encourage open conversations about postpartum mental health.

To help people feel more empowered to seek the help they need, it’s important to normalize conversations surrounding mental health. Link

• Personal stories or testimonials to humanize the experience.

Liz’s story: Link

• The importance of supportive communities and professional help.

Postpartum screening is absolutely necessary since PPD affects the woman, the infant, and the entire family. Studies have shown that many women with postpartum depression are ashamed of their symptoms and are afraid of the social stigma associated with the diagnosis.

 Menstrual Cycle and Mental Health:

• The connection between the menstrual cycle and mood changes.

The female sex hormone estrogen has an effect on neurotransmitters in the brain including serotonin (a chemical that boosts mood). Link  

• Scientific explanations for hormonal influences on mental health.

The cycle of menstruation is a time of intense hormonal fluctuation that can cause increased vulnerability to depression. Link

• Changes can occur at various points in the menstrual cycle.

1. 1. Follicular Phase: As estrogen levels increase, you might notice a positive effect on your mood during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. 
   2. Ovulation: During ovulation, estrogen and luteinizing hormone levels rise. Some people may feel temporarily low mood once estrogen levels drop back down from the pre-ovulation spike, but it’s usually short-lived as hormone levels go back to normal. 
   3. Luteal Phase: Progesterone levels rise for the first half of the luteal phase to prepare for a possible pregnancy. As you get closer to your period, if there is no HCG (the pregnancy hormone) available to help you keep producing progesterone, it will degrade. This triggers the fall of progesterone and estrogen, which can cause a decline in serotonin, leading to low energy and mood changes.

Link.

 Premenstrual Depressive Episodes:

• Depressive episodes before menstruation.

“Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a health problem that is similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) but is more serious. PMDD causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety in a week or two before your period starts.” Link

Coping strategies and self-care tips for managing premenstrual mood changes.

• Look after your physical health
  • Getting enough sleep for sufficient energy levels
  • Eating regularly, and eating nutritious foods while also keeping your blood sugar stable can make tremendous differences in your mood and energy levels. 
  • Exercise → reduces symptoms of depression and increases dopamine, serotonin, and endorphin levels.
• Get to know your cycle better
  • If your symptoms follow a pattern, you may be able to work out when you are most likely to start to experience these symptoms in the future and can help you better prepare for them. 
    • Rearrange stressful events and tasks for another time
    • Plan relaxing activities that you know improve your mood
    • Put in place a support plan that sets out how you would like to be supported in a particular situation
    • Create a self-care box.

1. 1. Try relaxation techniques:

• • • Journaling
    • Meditating
    • Practice mindfulness 
    • Breathing exercises
    • Practice gratitude
    • Manage your stress

Lastly, if you or someone you know is struggling with any of these symptoms and need support contact us to get set up with a licensed therapist who can help.

In conclusion, this blog post aims to bridge the information gap surrounding postpartum depression while shedding light on the nuanced relationship between the menstrual cycle and mental health. By fostering open dialogue and understanding, we can collectively contribute to a healthier and more supportive environment for new mothers and women navigating the complexities of their mental well-being