Treatment for Postpartum Anxiety/Depression/OCD
by Madison Frevak
(United States)
I have found this website after a deep dive into progesterone as treatment for postpartum mental health disorders and an so grateful for all the information and have promptly ordered my first tube of progesterone cream. I had my first child 4 months ago and immediately noticed something was wrong after having him. I felt immediately off and it slowly escalated until I had extreme anxiety and OCD intrusive thoughts. I was prescribed an antidepressant a week after he was born and after weeks of it not working was switched from pill to pill. I am currently still on an antidepressant as it’s not advised to come off so quickly but it is a goal of mine to get off as soon as I can. I am breastfeeding and had one period 2 months postpartum but have not had one since.
I was lucky enough to find a doctor in my area who prescribed me 200mg of bio identical progesterone capsules to be taken by mouth once daily for 7-10 days or until my symptoms are 80% reduced. I started this 2 weeks ago and decided to take it for 10 days. At 4 days in I had done my own research and learned that said capsules are far more easily absorbed by taking vaginally so I began taking them that way 4 days in. I immediately noticed improvement in mood and started seeing improvement in my anxiety as well. I am meeting with the doctor in two days to discuss continued treatment with progesterone, especially while breastfeeding because I know it suppresses progesterone production.
I am still experiencing quite a bit of anxiety and intrusive thoughts and I know this is not my normal, nor the way I want to continue my life. I would love any advice anyone has for me on what I should ask my doctor for, what I should do in terms of amount daily, other supplements to take. I believe my vitamin D is “normal” I currently take a prenatal, 5,000 ui Vitamin D daily, and iron.