What Are the Causes of Postpartum Depression?

In my previous article I discussed the definition of postpartum depression. In this article I will examine the age old question of What Are the Causes of Postpartum Depression.

Studies have been able to find no specific cause of postpartum depression. However, there are many contributing factors that are displayed by many women suffering from postpartum depression.

One significant cause of postpartum depression is hormone imbalance. The levels of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol drop dramatically in the days following the birth of a baby. Studies show that a woman who develops postpartum depression seems to be less tolerant of the hormonal changes.

Another contributing factor to postpartum depression is a history of mental illness before the pregnancy, including a family history of mental illness.

As we all know, once we have a baby our body is definately not the same as it was prior to delivery. The physical changes that occur after delivery have a huge impact on postpartum depression. The inability to lose weight and the "sagging" body reak havoc on an already emotional mom. These physical changes ultimately make you feel less attractive and less sexually appealing.

The emotions that a new mother experiences after birth are phenominal. These emotions include feelings of being trapped, loss of identity, being overwhelmed by the new baby and the changes in an otherwise already established routine, and of course, fatigue!

What Are The Causes Postpartum Depression is still sometimes an unanswered question. I hope this article has been helpful to you. In my next article I will discuss the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression.

I am a postpartum depression survivor. I have fought the battle and won the war! I have loads of advice to give you on postpartum depression. Visit my website Postpartum Depression Information to access other postpartum depression information.