New Postpartum Depression Breakthrough Could Rewrite The Future Of Work For Mothers

• Postpartum depression is a serious condition that affects many women after childbirth, often causing feelings of sadness, emptiness, and anxiety.  
• Untreated postpartum depression can have long-term effects on a woman’s career; it can lead to prolonged periods of absence from work, reduced productivity, and even job loss. 
• The FDA recently approved a groundbreaking new fast-acting treatment for postpartum depression, which could help women who need to return to work quickly better manage the transition. 

The whiplash and reentry pains many are now feeling as they are being required to return to the office after an extended absence is tough, and the cries against it have been loud.  

Now imagine having to return to that foreign-feeling office while battling sleep deprivation as you try to physically recover from running a marathon. It’s no wonder that 40 percent of mothers consider quitting during their return-to-work process following maternity leave. 

Now layer on postpartum depression (PPD), which is a serious condition that affects approximately 1 in 8 new mothers in the U.S. It is often treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both. 

What does PPD have to do with work? 

PPD affects many women after childbirth, often causing feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and anxiety, plus cognitive impairment and loss of energy. These symptoms can last for weeks or even months, and if left untreated, can lead to severe complications. 

This condition can significantly impact a woman’s performance in the workplace. Depression contributes to presenteeism, where employees are physically present but not engaged in their work, and absenteeism, where employees miss days of work. It can adversely affect various areas of employee performance, including focus and decision-making, time management, completion of physical tasks, social interactions, and communication.  

Depression can also lead to self-isolation, excessive worry about work completion, and guilt about letting others down. Individuals with depression may find it challenging to discuss their feelings at work due to fear of judgment or shame.  

In the context of postpartum depression, these challenges can be exacerbated. Women suffering from PPD may also struggle to return to work due to the intense emotional and physical changes they are experiencing. They may also face difficulties in balancing their professional responsibilities with the demands of caring for a newborn. Moreover, untreated postpartum depression can have long-term effects on a woman’s career; it can lead to prolonged periods of absence from work, reduced productivity, and even job loss in severe cases. 

A newly approved treatment option  

Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new fast-acting treatment for PPD. Zurzuvae, also known as zuranolone, is the first oral treatment for postpartum depression, making it a groundbreaking medication that could widely expand access to treatment for new mothers.  

The pill, which requires just one dose a day for two weeks, has yielded impressive outcomes in two studies — with some individuals noticing improvements after only three days, according to NPR. This is significantly quicker than other antidepressants, and much less intrusive than the only other FDA-endorsed postpartum depression therapy available in the market, which is administered through IV and costs $34,000 over a 60-hour period. 

“A key hallmark of Zurzuvae is that the medication is expected to work within just a few days and is meant to be taken for up to two weeks. Before this once-daily oral pill, the most common treatment plan for PPD required an IV injection. That meant administration by a healthcare provider in a hospital or healthcare facility was necessary. With this approval, Zurzuvae will be able to expand access and reach to more women on their way out of hospitals,” according to engadget.  

The manufacturers say the drug will be commercially available before the end of this year.  

Changing the future of work for mothers 

Easily accessible, faster-acting medications could be a game-changer for women suffering from PPD. It could also be a savior for their careers, as the delay in accessing effective treatment for PPD can have significant implications for a woman’s ability to reenter the workforce. 

The debilitating symptoms of PPD often make it difficult for women to return to work, impacting their financial stability, putting their jobs at risk and/or stalling career progression. Medications like Zurzuvae that are more widely available could expedite the recovery process, allowing women to regain control over their lives and return to their professional roles more quickly — which could have significant implications for gender equality in the workplace, particularly in industries where women are underrepresented. 

However, it’s important to note that while Zurzuvae may aid in the mental recovery from PPD, additional support mechanisms, such as flexible work hours, paid family leave, subsidized daycare, equal pay, employee resource groups, and professional development opportunities are also crucial in facilitating women’s return to work after childbirth.