According to statistics, females are twice as much to suffer from depression as men. This is not the only disadvantage for women because they are also more likely to suffer from the side effects with the treatments of depression. The antidepressant medication which is Zoloft has been connected with birth defects especially when taken by pregnant women during the third trimester. Zoloft’s manufacturer is Pfizer, also makers of newly-approved lung cancer drug, Xalkori.

What Might Cause Depression in Women?

A variety of reasons can be indicated why women suffer from depression but usually, hormones has something to do with it. Some of the common causes in females are listed below.

•             Premenstrual Problems

Changes in hormonal levels may lead to symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) such as bloating, irritability and emotional reactivity. For most women, symptoms of PMS are mild but there are those who suffer from a condition called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder in which the symptoms greatly interfere with lives.

•             Pregnancy

Pregnancy is considered a fragile condition in a woman’s life especially when her hormones are fluctuating. Changes in hormonal levels may contribute to depression especially to women who are at risk even before getting pregnant.

•             Postpartum Depression

Postpartum changes may be very significant in women and this may lead for them to suffer from depression. Usually, most women experience postpartum blues which is deemed normal but some progress to a severe state which is postpartum depression. This is believed to be caused by the sudden change of hormonal levels immediately after giving birth.

Managing Depression in Women

Treating depression is generally the same for all gender. However, biological differences between males and females should be considered. In medications, women should start taking antidepressants in lower doses than men to avoid the serious side effects. Pregnant women are also given special considerations because antidepressants can be harmful to the fetus. Zoloft birth defects for instance have consequently raised talks regarding the use of antidepressants in pregnant women.