In a message dated 6/20/03 5:01:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> Buring the mindnight oil tonight looking for some info on the incidence of
> postpartum depression in breastfeeding and bottle feeding mothers. Found
> plenty of info about the general incidence PPD, but would really like some
> good data which specifically adresses a difference between the two modes of
> feeding


I don't think you're going to find "good data" one way or the other. In my
searches on this topic I've not come across any data that supports a difference
either way re: PPD between lactating women and those that have involuted
postpartum. In studies a decade or so ago, some researchers theorized PPD incidence
would be higher among lactating women due to lower estrogen levels, as
estrogen was thought to play some sort of positive role in avoiding PPD. Although
one study found a slight increase in PPD among lactating women, the difference
was not significant and other research results did not support the hypothesis.
At this point it all still appears to be ambiguous re: the difference you're
looking for. I did find one Cochrane meta-analysis re: possible hormonal
influence via treatment modalities. I doubt it's helpful but I've included it
below...

Karen

<< From The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2003. Oxford: Update Software Ltd. All
rights reserved.

Available: <A HREF="http://www.update-software.com/abstracts/ab001690.htm">http://www.update-software.com/abstracts/ab001690.htm</A>

Oestrogens and progestogens for preventing and treating postnatal depression
(Cochrane Review)

Lawrie TA, Herxheimer A, Dalton K

ABSTRACT

> A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 13
> January 1999. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.
> Background: Postnatal depression, with a prevalence of at least 10%, is probably
> the most common complication of the puerperium. A deficiency or imbalance of
> sex hormones has repeatedly been suggested as a cause.Objectives: The
> objective of this review was to evaluate the role of oestrogens and progestogens in
> the prevention and treatment of postnatal depression.Search strategy: The
> register of clinical trials maintained and updated by the Cochrane Pregnancy and
> Childbirth Group.Selection criteria: All trials were considered in which
> pregnant or postpartum women (up to 18 months) were randomised to receive
> postpartum oestrogen or progestogen or placebo for the treatment or prevention of
> postnatal depression.Data collection and analysis: Two published randomised
> placebo controlled trials were identified for inclusion in the analyses for
> this review. One study was excluded.Main results: Depot norethisterone enanthate
> given within 48 hours of delivery and lasting 8-12 weeks was associated with
> significantly higher postpartum depression scores than placebo. Oestrogen
> therapy in severely depressed women was associated with a greater improvement
> in depression scores than placebo.Reviewers' conclusions: There is no place
> for synthetic progestogens in the prevention of treatment of postnatal
> depression. Long-acting norethisterone enanthate is associated with an increased risk
> of postnatal depression. It and other long-acting progestogen contraceptives
> should be used with caution in the postnatal period, especially in women
> with a history of depression. The role of progesterone in the prevention and
> treatment of postnatal depression has yet to be evaluated in a randomised
> placebo-controlled trial.
>
> Oestrogen therapy may be of modest value at a late stage of severe postnatal
> depression. Its role in the prevention of recurrent postnatal depression has
> not been evaluated. Further research on its value is unlikely for ethical
> reasons.
> Citation: Lawrie TA, Herxheimer A, Dalton K. Oestrogens and progestogens for
preventing and treating postnatal depression (Cochrane Review). In: The
Cochrane Library, Issue 2 2003. Oxford: Update Software. >>
























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