View clinical trials related to Depression, Postpartum.
Filter by:This study evaluates the efficacy of estrogen treatment in women with postpartum depression (PPD). PPD causes significant distress to a large number of women; the demand for effective therapies to treat PPD is considerable. Estradiol therapy has a prophylactic effect in women at high risk for developing PPD. The prevention of a decline in estradiol levels may prevent the onset of PPD. Studies also suggest that estradiol has antidepressant effects in women and may provide a safe and effective alternative to traditional antidepressants in women with PPD. Participants will be screened with a medical history, physical examination, blood and urine tests, psychological tests, genetic studies, and self-rating scales and questionnaires. Upon study entry, women will be randomly assigned to wear skin patches containing either estradiol or placebo (a patch with no active ingredient) for 6 weeks. Women who receive estradiol and do not menstruate during the last week of the study will receive progesterone for 7 days to initiate menstruation. Women who receive placebo and do not menstruate during the last week of the study will continue to receive placebo at the end of the study. Every week, participants will have blood taken and will be asked to complete symptom self-rating scales. A urine sample and blood samples will be collected at different time points through out of the study. Participants who receive placebo and those whose symptoms do not improve with estradiol therapy will be offered treatment with standard antidepressant medications for 8 weeks at the end of the study.
This study evaluates the relationship between mood changes and hormones in women with postpartum depression (PPD). This is an observational study; volunteers who participate will not receive any new or experimental therapies. PPD is similar to major depression, but develops around the time a woman gives birth. Women with PPD often suffer serious physical and emotional impairments. Controversy exists regarding the role of hormone changes in postpartum depression. This study will examine the role of hormone changes in three groups of women: those who recently gave birth and have mild to moderately severe PDD (Group 1), women who recently gave birth and do not have PDD (Group 2), and those who are currently pregnant and experienced an episode of PDD with a previous birth (Group 3). Participants will be screened with a medical history, physical examination, and blood and urine tests. Upon study entry, they will be interviewed about their moods, behaviors, and medical status during and immediately following their last pregnancy. Some women will be asked to participate in interviews, psychological tests, and blood tests. They will also complete self-rating scales and may be asked to collect samples of their urine. Women in Group 3 will complete self-rating scales for 6 months postpartum. Participants will participate in genetic studies that involve completing a questionnaire and providing a blood sample. If the participant allows, sisters and parents may be asked to provide a blood sample and undergo a psychiatric interview. Participants who meet the criteria for minor depression or major depression that is no greater than moderate severity will be asked to participate in a companion study that will evaluate the effectiveness of estradiol in reducing depression symptoms.
This study will determine whether a prevention program reduces the incidence of postpartum depression in pregnant women who receive public assistance and are at risk for postpartum depression.
This study will compare standard individual treatment to group therapy for the treatment of postpartum depression.
This 12-week study will evaluate the effectiveness of Clinician-Managed Interpersonal Psychotherapy (CM-IPT) in treating postpartum depression and will compare CM-IPT to standard IPT.
Determine whether postpartum depression is triggered by the abrupt withdrawal of estrogen and progesterone. The appearance of mood and behavioral symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period has been extensively reported. While there has been much speculation about possible biologically based etiologies for postpartum disorders (PPD), none has ever been confirmed. Preliminary results from two related studies (protocols 90-M-0088, 92-M-0174) provide evidence that women with menstrual cycle related mood disorder, but not controls, experience mood disturbances during exogenous replacement of physiologic levels of gonadal steroids. The present protocol is designed to create a "scaled-down" hormonal milieu of pregnancy and the puerperium in order to determine whether women who have had a previous episode of postpartum major effective episode will experience differential mood and behavioral effects compared with controls and to determine whether it is the abrupt withdrawal of gonadal steroids or the prolonged exposure to gonadal steroids that is associated with mood symptoms. Supraphysiologic plasma levels of gonadal steroids will be established, maintained, and then rapidly reduced, simulating the hormonal events that occur during pregnancy and parturition. This will be accomplished by administering estradiol and progesterone to women who are pretreated with a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (Lupron). After eight weeks, administration of gonadal steroids will be stopped in one group of patients and controls, and a sudden decline in the plasma hormone levels will be precipitated. Another group will be maintained on supraphysiologic levels of estrogen and progesterone for an additional month. Outcome measures will include mood, behavioral and hormonal parameters (a separate protocol done in collaboration with NICHD).