Can Probiotics Treat the Symptoms of Postpartum Depression?
Key takeaways:
Some research suggests that probiotics may help treat depression and anxiety. But we don’t have enough evidence to recommend probiotics for the prevention or treatment of postpartum depression (PPD).
Therapy and antidepressant medications are first-choice options for treating PPD.
Taking probiotics is considered safe during pregnancy and while nursing. But always talk to your healthcare provider first before trying one.
When you hear the word “bacteria,” you might think of an infection. But our bodies naturally contain trillions of organisms, many of which are bacteria. These organisms form our microbiome. The microbiome plays an important role in many bodily functions. These include digesting food and supporting your immune system.
Research suggests that an unbalanced microbiome may play a role in many chronic health conditions. These include gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). But your gut microbiome is also linked to your mental health. Studies have found that probiotics may help relieve symptoms of depression. Probiotics are live microorganisms that alter your gut microbiome when you ingest them.
If probiotics may help relieve depression, can they help relieve or even prevent postpartum depression (PPD)? About 1 in 8 U.S. women experience PPD, which are feelings of sadness and hopelessness soon after having a child. Here, we’ll dive into the available research on probiotics and postpartum depression.
What are probiotics and what health conditions can they help with?
Probiotics are living organisms, including bacteria and yeast. When you ingest probiotics, they join the community of organisms that naturally exist in your gut. Foods and drinks like yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha contain probiotics. But probiotics also exist as dietary supplements and in beauty products.
We don’t know exactly how probiotics impact your gut. But it’s possible that they support gut health and encourage “good” bacteria to grow. There’s some research to show that probiotics may help improve health conditions in people with certain medical issues. These include the following:
Diarrhea caused by antibiotics: Probiotics can help prevent or treat diarrhea in some people taking antibiotics.
Lactose intolerance: Some people experience stomach pain and cramping after consuming milk products. Some studies found that probiotics may help improve these symptoms.
Constipation: People taking probiotics may experience more frequent bowel movements and softer stool.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Probiotics may help prevent UTIs in women. But we need more studies to confirm this.
The American Gastroenterological Association doesn’t recommend probiotics for most digestion-related medical conditions. That includes those listed above. They believe there isn’t enough evidence to recommend the use of probiotics in these situations.
What does the research say about probiotics and postpartum depression?
A 2017 randomized controlled trial (RCT) studied the effects of probiotics in over 400 women. RCTs are the best kind of study to look at cause-and-effect relationships.
In this study, the probiotics contained the bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001. The participants took them until 6 months after giving birth. Then, they completed questionnaires to rate their depression and anxiety symptoms.
The study compared placebo (a pill with nothing in it) to HN001 probiotics. They found that participants taking HN001 probiotics had fewer anxiety and depression symptoms.
Another RCT looked at whether probiotics could improve mental health. The participants included over 200 pregnant women who were classified as having obesity. The probiotic in the study contained Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium lactis BB12.
This study found that probiotics didn’t improve depression or anxiety during pregnancy. The study didn’t look at postpartum depression.
So, what’s the verdict? Can probiotics help prevent or treat postpartum depression?
It’s possible. But we need more research before we can recommend probiotics as a treatment option for PPD.
Currently, therapy and antidepressant medications are the first-choice treatment options for treating PPD. Antidepressant medications include:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline (Zoloft)
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like venlafaxine
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like nortriptyline (Pamelor)
Zulresso (brexanolone)
Zulresso is the only antidepressant that’s FDA-approved for PPD. It’s an intravenous (IV) medication that’s injected into a vein. It has to be given in a healthcare provider’s office.
Probiotics supplements are, however, considered safe to take during pregnancy. They’re just not recommended for PPD.
Do probiotics have other benefits for pregnant women and new mothers?
When you take a probiotic, it joins the microbiome in your gut. This alters the balance of organisms living there. During pregnancy, the microbiome changes. These changes may contribute to nausea, constipation, and bloating during pregnancy.
Some research suggests that probiotics may help treat pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. Probiotics may also help prevent gestational diabetes and preterm labor. But, overall, the research shows mixed results. We don’t know exactly how effective probiotics are in providing these benefits. They may be helpful for some people, but not others.
Can I take probiotics if I’m nursing?
Yes, taking probiotics is considered safe while breastfeeding. But talk to your healthcare provider first. They can also advise on what to eat or medications to avoid while breastfeeding.
The bottom line
In recent years, probiotics have been studied as a potential treatment option for PPD. But we need more evidence before we can recommend probiotics to treat or prevent PPD. Currently, therapy and/or antidepressant medications are the first-choice treatment options for PPD.
However, taking probiotics is considered safe during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. But always talk to your healthcare provider before trying any new medication or supplement if you’re pregnant or nursing.
Why trust our experts?
References
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