Depressive disorders specific to women
This specific group of symptoms (defined in DSM IV) that affects 3-5% of women and occurs during most menstrual cycles, it is separate from the more common PMS[1].
50-80% of mothers experience this transient period of mild depression, mood instability, anxiety following birth that can last up to 10 days post partum[1].
10% of mothers develop post partum depression, where symptoms of major depressive episode that occur within 4 weeks of birth, lasting 2-6 months. These may be augmented by negative social factors, stressful life events[1]. Screening tools such as the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale[5] can be helpful in practice. There is new evidence that men can also suffer from post partum depression, a recent study showed that this occured in 2-4 % of men[4].
Depression may occur in women following other reproductive health problems such as infertility, hysterectomy, urinary incontinence, urogenital disorders[3].
_________________________________
1. Toronto Notes 2004: Review for the MCCQE. Eds: A. Molckovsky and KS Pirzada. Toronto Notes Publishing 2004, Toronto.
3. World Health Organization, Gender and Mental Health, Report June 2002.http://www.who.int/gender/other_health/en/
4. Daniel DeNoon, Ramchandani, P. The Lancet, June 25, 2005; vol 365:pp 2201-2205
5. Renfrew County and District Health Unit, Pembroke Ontario. http://www.rcdhu.com/health-info/precon-preg/Edinburgh.htm accessed October 13, 2005
