Spot the Signs and Fight Postpartum Depressions

The Postpartum Depression Market Size in the 7MM was estimated to be USD 138.75 Million in 2017 and is expected to grow further with rise in PPD prevalence and immense opportunities with only a single marketed therapy available.

Depression is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. During or after pregnancy, women’s body undergoes several kinds of changes, including physical appearances, appetite, sleeping patterns, hormonal, and so much more. It becomes common for women to experience anxiety, mood and alterations. Approximately 60-80% of all the women who give birth experience Postpartum blues (PPB) also known as ‘baby blues’. Postpartum blues is a state of mind with heightened emotional reactivity, which results in a transient state of overwhelm and frequent alterations in mood. Women who suffer from postpartum blues cry easily, are irritable most of the time, and feels lonely, vulnerable and emotionally sensitive; however, it subsidizes within ten days post-delivery and rarely requires medical treatment.

However, in about 10-15% of the women suffering from postpartum blues, the mild condition of baby blues worsens and advances to Postpartum Depression (PPD). In contrast with the labile changes that last only for a short while, Postpartum Depression is a significant form of depression that persists for more than two weeks of delivery. In rare cases, in approximately 1-2% of women (affecting 1 or 2 in 1000 women post-childbirth), Postpartum depression worsens to Postpartum psychosis within 1-2 weeks post-delivery. According to a study, Postpartum psychosis has a 5% suicide rate and 4% infanticide rate. Shockingly, the depression after childbirth is not confined to only women. Approximately 25% of the men suffer from depression after delivery and the condition is known as Paternal Postpartum Depression (PPPD); however, it rarely gets recorded.

As per DelveInsight, the total diagnosed Postpartum Depression prevalent population in the 7 MM (the US, EU5 (the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and France), and Japan) was found to be 1,134,800 in 2017, which is expected to increase further. While western countries have the highest Postpartum Depression prevalence; Asian countries account for a relatively comparable PPD preponderance, with least prevalence in European countries. Out of all the 7MM, the US accounted for the highest Postpartum Depression prevalence, with Japan accounting for the second-highest PPD prevalence in the 7MM. Among EU5 countries, France recorded the most top PPD prevalent cases with Spain accounting for the least number of cases.

Characterized by persistent depressing mood, diminished pleasures, poor concentration, self-guilt, social disengagement, feeling worthless or unappreciated, delusions, disorganized behaviors, bipolar disorder or family history of bipolar disorder, mania or hypomania, suicidal ideations, the cause behind Postpartum Depression is unclear and believed to be multifactorial; abrupt decrease in hormone levels along with genetic factors are thought to render women susceptible to depressions. However, the triggers for PPD can be a reason of family history of mental illness or depression, inadequate support and love from the family, domestic abuse, or anxiety due to financial or marital problems or parental responsibilities.

Thus, early diagnosis of postpartum depression and proper monitoring of symptoms is imperative to stop the worsening of the depression into more grave form.

Postpartum Depression Market: Weak Pipeline; Abundant Opportunities

Postpartum Depression Market comprises of antidepressant medications, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and interpersonal therapy along with other treatments including psychodynamic therapy, light therapy, exercise, and yoga. However, the efficiency of these treatment methods remains unclear.

Approved for treating depressions in major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other depression-causing disorders, antidepressants are the off-label therapies available in the Postpartum Depression Market. Antidepressants, such as Abilify (aripiprazole), Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride), Spravato (esketamine), Prozac (fluoxetine capsules), Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide), Luvox CR (Fluvoxamine Maleate) and Paxil CR (paroxetine) form the mainstay of the Postpartum Depression treatment. Moreover, Postpartum Depression is also managed by a combination of therapies and medications along with antidepressants. One such class of drugs is known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Fluoxetine, Venlafaxine and Sertraline, which help in increasing the levels of available serotonin, responsible for the enhanced mood of the patient, by blocking the reabsorption, or reuptake of serotonin by specific nerve cells in the brain. Similarly, Hormonal Therapies also help in mood enhancement in PPD as they help in improving maternal levels of estrogen and progesterone promoting neuronal growth and survival, enhancing neurotransmitter activity, mitigating oxidative stress and modulating the hypophyseal-pituitary axis.

Other Psychological and psychosocial treatment options including interpersonal therapy (IPT) cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), nondirective counselling peer and partner support as well as non-pharmacological treatment such as electroconvulsive therapy, bright light therapy, consumption of Omega-3 rich fatty acids food products, acupuncture are also available in the PPD Market.

Although the significant portion of the market is dominated by off-label therapies, last year, the market witnessed the approval of one therapy for the treatment of PPD. The only FDA-approved therapy in the Postpartum Depression Market, Zulresso, marketed by Sage Therapeutics, is a neuroactive steroid gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor positive modulator indicated for the treatment of Postpartum Depression in adults.

The Postpartum Depression Market Size in the 7MM was estimated to be USD 138.75 Million in 2017, with the US occupying for maximum PPD Market share, and Japan occupying the second-largest shareholder of the market. Expected launch of potential therapies in the Postpartum Depression Pipeline including Zuranolone (SAGE-217) by Sage Therapeutics (Phase III) and Ganaxolone (CCD-1042) by Marinus Pharmaceuticals (Phase II), will further boost the Postpartum Depression Market growth for the forecast period 2020-30. Pharma players, including Sage Therapeutics and Marinus Pharmaceuticals, are expected to launch their therapies in the forecast period, which will positively impact market growth. Moreover, with only one approved treatment and a few of the products in the pipeline further offers lucrative opportunities for other pharma and biotech players to explore and seize the market share.