These forms of depression recede or stop after menopause. It is not considered postpartum depression, however, unless it persists beyond a week or two and is very severe. One study strongly suggested that the fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone accompanying childbirth may play a major role in postpartum depression, at least in women who are sensitive to such changes. Women with prior depressive episodes, new mothers whose infants have medical problems, and women who lack social support appear to have a higher risk for postpartum depression. It should be noted that many male partners of new mothers also suffer from depression surrounding the birth of a child.
Miscarriage poses a very high risk for depression, particularly in the first month after the loss.
Older women with no previous successful pregnancies and those with a history of depression are at particular risk during this time. In one study, over half of perimenopausal women were diagnosed with major depression. One study suggests that average depression scores in women who were past menopause were nearly as low as those in premenopausal women. In fact, many women report that after menopause, previous bouts of depression, particularly when caused by seasonal changes or premenopausal syndrome recede or stop completely. Affiliate Behaviors and Oxytocin One theory about the higher risk of depression in women concerns affiliate behaviors, which are those that involve activities surrounding relationships.