Doctors have a new way to treat postpartum depression approved by the Federal Drug Administration
HARTFORD, Conn. —
Doctors have found a new way to treat postpartum depression in women.
It is a new medicine, approved by the FDA last August, but the supply has only just begun to spread.
Amber Diaz spoke with a doctor about how effective it is and why many consider it a breakthrough in postpartum care.
“It’s actually one of the most common pregnancy period complications above anything else!”
Dr. Ariadna Forray is talking about postpartum depression, a medical condition that she says affects up to 20 percent of women after giving birth.
If you are a new mother, these symptoms may sound familiar.
“If someone isn’t sleeping when the baby is sleeping, that’s a sign of changes in appetite, you know, feeling worthless, feeling a lot of guilt. And obviously, in very severe cases, they can also include thoughts of not wanting to move on. live or get hurt,” Forray said.
But with new medical advances, there are new hopes and treatments.
In recent months, doctors began prescribing a new medication called Suranalone. The first pill approved by the FDA to treat postpartum depression.
“And essentially what it is, it’s a synthetic form of a natural metabolite of progesterone, right? Many people are familiar with progesterone, which is one of the hormones known to be essential during pregnancy,” Forray said.
She says studies have already shown that women started to feel better within 3 days of taking it… Unlike other antidepressants, which take 4-8 weeks to start working.
“Plus, it’s only a two-week treatment. Again, it’s something unique,” he says.
Dr. Forray says no side effects have been reported among patients so far. However, he has seen problems with women’s access to the drug, as it is only available in a few pharmacies.
It also says that not all women will be eligible for this treatment.
“You have to be someone who has developed depression, either in the last trimester, the third trimester of pregnancy, or in the first four weeks postpartum, and it has to be severe depression, to be eligible to be prescribed the medication.” . Forray said.
Dr. Forray says being eligible to receive the medication is one thing, while recognizing you have a problem is another. That’s why he advises women to stand up for themselves and never be afraid to ask for help.
“The message I would send to people is that it’s okay, it’s not always perfect, it’s difficult and there is help, there’s no reason to suffer alone. That’s why there are very good treatments available.”
