06-08-2025
First postpartum depression pill has only 60 per cent success: Why a pill may help but not heal everything
Latest clinical trials have found that Zurzuvae, the first pill for postpartum depression, which was approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023, has had a 60 per cent success rate in improving the mental health of new mothers.
It had varied effects among thousands of users. For some, symptoms improved remarkably. Others described a modest benefit that didn't last or said their depression persisted. Yet others did not complete the two-week regimen because they said they felt sedated all the time, which interfered with their ability to care for their babies or to fulfil other responsibilities.
Manufacturers had claimed that the pill can ease symptoms for some women in as little as three days, while general antidepressants can take weeks. This had brought new hope to women struggling silently during one of the most emotionally and physically demanding periods of their lives.
'It's important to remember that postpartum depression is rarely a one-dimensional condition. In my experience as a clinician, I've seen that the causes of PPD are deeply multifactorial,' says Dr Manjula Anagani, Clinical Director, HOD, CARE Vatsalya, Women and Child Institute, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.
What is post-partum depression?
Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that occurs in a woman after childbirth, impacting her emotional well-being and functionality. It's not a sign of weakness and is a treatable medical condition. It is believed to be caused by a combination of factors, including hormonal fluctuations after childbirth, sleep deprivation and exhaustion, stressful life events or a history of mental health issues and a lack of social support.
What is zurzuvae?
It is a synthetic version of a steroid called allopregnanolone that originates in the brain. It is believed to offset the effects of a sudden dip in pregnancy hormones after childbirth. Some women react strongly to the plummeting of hormone levels, which even lower levels of the steroid. Zurzuvae can be taken with other antidepressants, and, since its use is confined to a 14-day course, some doctors recommend it as an adjunct or bridge to ease severe symptoms before longer-term use of antidepressants.
Why are the results limited?
A drop in hormones after childbirth plays a role. But so do other equally powerful contributors: chronic sleep deprivation, lack of emotional or physical support, identity shifts, feelings of inadequacy and unrealistic expectations about motherhood. The hormonal imbalance may be the spark but it's often the entire environment that fans the flame.
That's why I view this new pill not as a solution but as a possible support in the wider framework of care. For women whose depression is predominantly triggered by hormonal shifts, the drug may offer quicker relief than traditional antidepressants. But we must not lose sight of the bigger picture. No pill, however effective, can replace the tender loving care a new mother needs. Sleep is one of the most overlooked aspects of postpartum recovery. When a mother is up every few hours nursing, soothing, or rocking a baby, her mental and emotional reserves are quickly depleted. Add to that the absence of help — whether from a partner, extended family, or a healthcare system not equipped to offer enough postnatal support — and the toll becomes profound.
Of course, this new pill has helped reduce stigma by legitimizing postpartum depression as a biological condition. If this drug can open the door to more awareness and acceptance — both by mothers and society at large — then it is a step in the right direction.
Why the pill is not a cure-all
That's because the pill is bio-chemical but the emotional wellbeing in the postpartum period is complex and deeply personal. What mothers need is a continuum of care: emotional validation, safe spaces to talk, professional mental health support, adequate rest and shared responsibilities at home.
