A drug for postpartum depression?

The FDA is considering approving a new drug that would treat severe postpartum depression.

Although most women suffer from "baby blues" after childbirth, some have more serious and lasting symptoms, known as postpartum depression (PDD).

There is currently no FDA-approved drug to specifically treat PPD. And data on the effectiveness of existing antidepressants on PPD are limited.

Brexanolone (Zulresso brand name) can change that, Fortune reports.

What is the difference between brexanolone and existing antidepressants?

Brexanolone mimics the functioning of the human hormone called allopregnanolone. Allopregnanolone increases in the woman's body during pregnancy and peaks in the third trimester. After childbirth, however, allopregnanolone levels drop sharply, explains the FDA.

Brexanolone, an injection, aims to bring women back to allopregnanolone levels before they give birth.

The FDA claims that postpartum depression is considered a life-threatening illness because of the risk of suicide. "It also has profound negative effects on the maternal-infant relationship and the subsequent development of the infant."

According to the FDA, suicide is the leading cause of maternal death after childbirth in developed countries. In the United States, about 12% of births are affected by the PPS.

Despite the number of women with PPD, some people say that we do not talk enough.

"I think people need to talk more about it because it's almost like the fourth quarter is part of the pregnancy," said tennis champion Serena Williams, while sharing her own experience with PPD.

"How can I feel that when everything is great? I had a hard time accepting that and was reluctant to talk about it, "said television personality Chrissy Teigen.

"I did not understand why I was so unhappy. I blamed him for being tired and perhaps out of the role: "Maybe I'm not a clumsy person anymore. Maybe I'm just supposed to be a mom " Battle Sync Lip host said.

Symptoms of postpartum depression can occur in the first few weeks after delivery. Some may start earlier (during pregnancy) or later (up to one year after birth), depending on Mayo Clinic.

An advisory committee of the FDA voted by 18 votes for Zulresso to be effective in the treatment of PPS. However, they mentioned "some reservations about the safety of home infusion," reports Seeking Alpha.

An FDA decision is expected by December 19th.