--- title: How common is depression during pregnancy and what causes it? description: Depression affects about 13.9% of pregnant women in this Lebanese hospital. Risk factors include family history of depression, mood changes before the period, url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/depressive-syndromes-during-pregnancy-prevalence-and-risk-factors-2005/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common is depression during pregnancy and what causes it? Survey study, 2005 # How common is depression during pregnancy and what causes it? Depression affects about 13.9% of pregnant women in this Lebanese hospital. Risk factors include family history of depression, mood changes before the period, and life stressors like lack of partner support and financial problems. Early or limited evidence 79 pregnant women at a hospital clinic in Beirut, Lebanon ## What they did 79 pregnant women at a hospital clinic in Beirut, Lebanon filled out depression screening questionnaires and a 45-question survey about known risk factors for depression. Most were in their second or third trimester of pregnancy. ## What they found 13.9% of the pregnant women screened positive for depression. Women with personal depression history had 8.1 times higher risk, family depression history 4.9 times higher risk, mood changes before their period 8 times higher risk, previous antidepressant use 12.4 times higher risk, prior oral birth control use 4.9 times higher risk, major financial problems 10.5 times higher risk, pregnancy complications 6.9 times higher risk, unwanted pregnancy 6.4 times higher risk, lack of husband support 10.4 times higher risk, and poor sexual relationship 13.3 times higher risk. ## What it means for you Depression is fairly common in pregnancy in Lebanon and is linked to both mental health history and life circumstances. This study was conducted at one hospital in Lebanon, so findings may not apply to other populations or countries. 79 pregnant women studied 13.9% had depression ## About the study Original title [Depressive syndromes during pregnancy: prevalence and risk factors] Authors Lteif Y, Kesrouani A, Richa S Journal Journal de gynecologie, obstetrique et biologie de la reproduction Year 2005 Study design Survey study Participants 79 What was tested Screening for depression and assessment of personal and life-circumstance risk factors Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0368-2315(05)82745-0](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0368-2315(05)82745-0) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Lab study, 2018 How does depression affect menstrual function and fertility in women? Randomised trial, 2017 Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)? Cohort study, 1993 When are new mothers most likely to get depression - right after birth or later? Survey study, 1988 Do women with PMS have higher rates of postpartum depression and birth control side effects? Case report, 2024 How is PMDD diagnosed and treated in teenagers? Survey study, 2024 How do hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect gut health and mood? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗