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1/3rd of pregnant women suffer from depression
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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In Great Britain, specialists have found that almost a third of pregnant women suffer from depressive disorders. A thousand women took part in a new study by British scientists, some of whom were pregnant, others were already enjoying the joy of motherhood. As a result of the survey, it was found that most pregnant women experience symptoms of depression, but hide it from both their loved ones and their doctor.
The main symptoms of prenatal depression are unreasonable anxiety, sudden mood swings, unstable emotional state, etc. Previously, experts believed that only 15% of pregnant women were subject to prenatal depression, but as it turned out, the number of women is twice as large.
30% of pregnant women had more than 5 symptoms of prenatal depression, according to experts, in the UK alone 250 thousand pregnant women suffer from such disorders, and most of them experience this condition on their own, without the support of loved ones and specialists.
Experts have found that more than 40% of women have never told their doctor about symptoms of depression. As the women themselves admitted, they were afraid of condemnation from others, were embarrassed to talk about such feelings, and also felt guilty. Half of pregnant women did not want to be considered ill, for the same reason, slightly more than 25% did not admit their experiences and feelings to loved ones.
A new study by British specialists has shown what women actually feel when they are carrying a child – it turns out that this is not the calmest and happiest period in a woman’s life. Almost all pregnant women suffer from mood swings, but if this happens rarely, it is considered a normal companion of pregnancy (this is due to changes in hormonal levels). But often, pregnant women constantly face a whole range of unpleasant sensations that can become a real problem, warn British researchers.
Women are more prone to developing depression. Depressed mood can also occur after sex and, as the latest research by Australian scientists has shown, such feelings occur in half of women. At the University of Queensland, scientists conducted a survey and found that many women after sexual contact with their partner experience a feeling of deep sadness, anxiety, depressive disorders, and women can also become more aggressive.
The survey involved more than 200 women who were sexually active (the respondents ranged in age from 18 to 55). The women told scientists about their feelings after sexual intercourse.
As a result, the scientists found that almost half (46%) of the survey participants experienced depression after sex at least once in their lives, and 5% had experienced such feelings several times in the last month.
According to researchers, the depressive state after sex may be linked to genes. Also, the cause of such disorders could be violence that a woman has suffered in the past.
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