Does progesterone or progestogen supplementation prevent postnatal depression?

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Publisher: East Anglia Medicines Information Service

Keywords: Progestogens; Progesterone; Depression-postnatal; norethisterone

Date published: 30/01/2012 00:00

Review date: 31/12/2013 00:00

Summary

by: Victoria Gibson

Many women feel emotional in the first few days after giving birth. Post natal depression is a more severe condition which occurs in about 10-15% of women within 4 to 6 weeks of childbirth.
It has been suggested that rapid changes in plasma progesterone levels at childbirth may be responsible for the development of postnatal depression.
Several small poor quality studies have demonstrated either a weak association or no association between plasma progesterone levels and the development of depressive disorders following child birth.
In a small number of studies progesterone supplementation, started immediately after the completion of labour, prevented recurrence of postnatal depression.
The progestogen, norethisterone, may increase the risk of postnatal depression when given within 48 hours of delivery.
Progesterone supplementation is not included in current NICE, SIGN or Prodigy Guidance for the management of postnatal depression.

About this library entry

NeLM area: Evidence > Medicines Q & A