Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is a major depressive episode that begins during pregnancy or within the weeks to months following childbirth, affecting the central nervous system and neuroendocrine pathways in perinatal individuals.

Its pathophysiology is linked to rapid postpartum fluctuations in gonadal steroid hormones—primarily estrogen and progesterone—modulating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor signaling, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity, and neuroinflammatory pathways in biologically susceptible individuals.

Clinically, it is defined by persistent low mood, severe anxiety, anhedonia, sleep and appetite disturbances, overwhelming fatigue, excessive guilt, and difficulties with maternal-infant bonding, which exceed the self-limited duration and mild severity of transient postpartum blues.