It is time again for “Ask the Doctor.” I particularly enjoy this monthly feature because it gives me an opportunity to answer your questions and help you on your path to health and wellness.

If you have a question or health concern that you would like me to address, please visit the Hotze Health & Wellness Facebook page and send me a private message. Mention Katy Christian Magazine in the subject line.

Postpartum Depression

“I’m 32 and just had my second baby, and I am really feeling bad – extremely tired all the time, moody and very depressed. I don’t feel like myself anymore. I have headaches, can’t sleep and can’t lose that extra pregnancy weight. It’s hard to be there for my children. My doctor prescribed antidepressants, but I don’t want to take them. I just don’t know what to do.” – Linda T.

Thank you for your question, Linda. Unfortunately, this happens to a lot of women. You are not alone. When you welcome a new baby into the world, you want to feel good and have the energy to take care of them and enjoy this wonderful time of your life. However, this isn’t always the case. Feeling down and blue after the birth of a child is common. About 1 in 9 women in the U.S. experience symptoms of postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression, also known as the baby blues, can occur after childbirth and causes a woman to feel sad. Other postpartum symptoms include fatigue, difficulty sleeping, brain fog, anxiety, inability to lose weight, and headaches, to name a few.

Common Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

Depressed moods
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Mood swings
Sadness
Irritability
Feeling overwhelmed
Excessive crying
Loss of energy or fatigue
Loss of concentration
Trouble sleeping
Loss of appetite
Lack of pleasure or interest in most or all activities
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Withdrawing from family and friends
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Thoughts of death or suicide

Underlying Cause of Postpartum Depression

It’s important to understand what happens to your hormones after childbirth so that you can learn the importance of restoring your hormones back to normal.

During pregnancy, the placenta produces progesterone at higher levels than your body normally produces. Progesterone is known as the “feel good” hormone. How many times have you heard a woman say how great she felt while she was pregnant? This is why. Progesterone has many other health benefits for women, as well. Click here to learn 14 reasons that women love progesterone!

After the birth of the baby, the placenta is expelled resulting in an immediate drop in a woman’s progesterone level. Meanwhile, estrogen levels remain high, creating a hormonal imbalance. Oftentimes, this imbalance in progesterone and estrogen, referred to as estrogen dominance, does not normalize after childbirth, and causes postpartum depression. The symptoms of estrogen dominance, or low progesterone, can be weight gain or mood-related symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Estrogen dominance can also lead to hypothyroidism, which causes fatigue.

Get the RIGHT Treatment for Postpartum Depression

If you are struggling with postpartum depression, please know that when searching for a solution, it’s important to be careful about the type of treatment you choose. Treating postpartum depression lies in treating the underlying cause, which is often a decline in your progesterone.

Conventional doctors typically prescribe antidepressants for postpartum depression; however women don’t have postpartum depression because they are deficient in antidepressants. These drugs are addicting with many negative side effects, including more depression, and suicidal and homicidal behavior.

Bioidentical Progesterone to the Rescue

Since the drastic drop in progesterone causes the low moods of postpartum depression, it only makes sense to restore the body’s progesterone levels back to normal. Bioidentical progesterone is molecularly identical to the progesterone made by your body. By replacing what is missing and balancing your hormones, you can resolve your postpartum symptoms and feel like yourself again. More importantly, you can be the best mom you can be and enjoy being with your child!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH DR. HOTZE’S PODCAST ON POSTPARTUM HEALTH.

Are you experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression or hormone decline?

Take my Symptom Checker to help identify what symptoms you are experiencing and the possible underlying cause. If you experience any of the symptoms of postpartum depression, don’t ignore your feelings. Be sure to reach out for help and support.

New Postpartum Treatment Program at Hotze Health & Wellness Center

I have great news – I have a new Postpartum Treatment Program at the Hotze Health & Wellness Center. It is a 3-month program to help new mothers with postpartum symptoms, including postpartum depression. We treat you naturally and address the root cause of your symptoms. We  partner with you to help bring your body back into balance so that you can feel your best.

Please contact my Wellness Consultants for a complimentary wellness consultation today at 281-698-8698. That’s 281-698-8698, or visit my website at www.HotzeHWC.com. It will be our privilege to serve you.

Keep Your Questions Coming

I hope these suggestions are helpful to you and to others who are dealing with these common problems. Keep your questions coming! Send me a private message on Hotze Health & Wellness Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HotzeHWC/. Don’t forget to mention Katy Christian Magazine in the subject line. And remember, there’s no such thing as a dumb question.

To learn more about the Hotze Health & Wellness Center and schedule a Free Wellness Consultation, call us at 281-698-8698 or visit hotzehwc.com.