First oral treatment for postpartum depression is coming. What SWFL moms need to know

Samantha Neely, Fort Myers News-Press
·5 min read

The Food and Drug Administration approved a first-of-its-kind drug to treat postpartum depression last week,

The medication, zuranolone, documented promising results in two clinical studies, according to the FDA. It is to be sold under the brand name Zurzuvae by Sage Therapeutics and Biogen, with a price still yet to be announced.

"Postpartum depression is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition in which women experience sadness, guilt, worthlessness — even, in severe cases, thoughts of harming themselves or their child. And, because postpartum depression can disrupt the maternal-infant bond, it can also have consequences for the child's physical and emotional development," Dr. Tiffany R. Farchione, director of the Division of Psychiatry at the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. "Having access to an oral medication will be a beneficial option for many of these women coping with extreme, and sometimes life-threatening, feelings."

But what does postpartum depression look like? Here is what to know about the depression and where to get help in Southwest Florida.

Learn more about new medication: First-ever postpartum depression pill, Zurzuvae, approved by FDA

What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is a type of depression that new moms can suffer from during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth. According to researchers, around one in seven women can develop PPD.

While there is no single cause of postpartum depression, experts do believe that genetics, physical changes, and emotional issues may play a factor.

How does it compare to the 'baby blues'?

Most new moms experience postpartum "baby blues" after childbirth, which deal with the hormone changes that happen after giving birth. Up to 80% of mothers experience the “baby blues,” according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

The symptoms commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues usually begin within the first 2 to 3 days after delivery and may last for up to two weeks.

Postpartum depression may be mistaken for baby blues at first; however, the symptoms are more intense and last longer. These may eventually interfere with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks.

What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?

Per the Mayo Clinic, postpartum depression symptoms may include:

  • Depressed mood or severe mood swings

  • Crying too much

  • Difficulty bonding with your baby

  • Withdrawing from family and friends

  • Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual

  • Inability to sleep, called insomnia, or sleeping too much

  • Overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy

  • Less interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy

  • Intense irritability and anger

  • Fear that you're not a good mother

  • Hopelessness

  • Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, or inadequacy

  • Reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions

  • Restlessness

  • Severe anxiety and panic attacks

  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

  • Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Can partners experience postpartum depression?

It has been found that partners, particularly new fathers, can experience a form of postpartum depression.

In a study by psychiatrist Jonathan R. Scarff, he wrote that while there are no established criteria for PPD in men, it could present over a year, with symptoms of irritability, restricted emotions, and depression.

He also elaborated that a father can experience hormonal changes during pregnancy and for several months following the birth of the child, many of these hormonal changes are thought to assist in the formation of a strong father-child relationship.

"These hormonal changes, however, might predispose the father to experience PPD or exacerbate existing symptoms associated with PPD," he wrote. "For example, low testosterone has been directly linked to symptoms of depression in men, whereas low levels of estrogen, prolactin, vasopressin, and/or cortisol in new fathers might cause difficulties in father-infant bonding/attachment, which in turn can contribute to depressed mood in the father."

What are the treatments for postpartum depression?

PPD is treated differently depending on the type and severity of your symptoms. Treatment options can include anti-anxiety or antidepressant medicines, psychotherapy (talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy), and support group participation

Experts also recommend seeking out support from health providers, as well as reaching out to family members and friends. Here are some things new moms can do to help cope with postpartum depression:

  • Find someone to talk to — a therapist, friend, family member, or someone who will listen to you and help you.

  • Join a support group for new parents.

  • Try to eat healthily and find time for exercise.

  • Prioritize rest for yourself.

  • Go out with friends or talk to them on the phone.

  • Find time for self-care and doing things you enjoy, like reading or other hobbies.

  • Get help with household chores or errands.

Where can new moms get help in Southwest Florida?

While Lee Health doesn't explicitly state postpartum depression, they highlight their Behavioral Health Center for the treatment of most behavioral and mental health issues. They add that their mental health experts help "identify the cause of anxiety, depression, or mood disorders while providing open-minded treatment that controls symptoms and improves your quality of life."

Over in Collier County, NCH Healthcare System share details on depression online and advises that those having trouble coping with postpartum depression should talk with their healthcare provider. They also give potential patients a guide of what to ask their doctors and what their first appointment may look like.

The Florida chapter of the Postpartum Support International group also offers help to Floridians seeking access to perinatal support, mental health or healthcare providers, education, and resources. They can connect those in Southwest Florida to specific groups and resources.

What is this new pill for postpartum depression?

Zuranolone is a fast-acting antidepressant designed to be taken once a day for 14 days. Zuranolone works by improving a person’s levels of allopregnanolone, a neuroactive steroid that can increase during pregnancy and dip steeply afterward.

The daily recommended dose is 50 milligrams, and users are advised to take the medication in the evening with fat-containing food, according to the FDA. Experts do mention that the trials have predominantly been with people who have experienced more severe cases of postpartum depression, so the medication may not be the best option for those with mild to moderate cases.

When will the medication be available?

Because it is a medication that affects the central nervous system, it will undergo a 90-day review by the Drug Enforcement Administration, following normal protocol. After that, the medication should be available to consumers later this year.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Postpartum depression pill: What to know as new drug enters the market