Overview: The Use of SSRIs in Depressive Disorders Specific to Women

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The prevalence of depressive disorders in women is twice that in men,^1,2 with lifetime prevalence rates of major depressive disorder in women estimated to be as high as 21%. In contrast, childhood rates of depression are similar in boys and girls, with differences in rates beginning around 10 years of age and persisting until middle age.¹ The impact of reproductive events including the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause on the incidence of depression has been considered in the literature as one of many possible explanationsfor the differential rates of depression between genders.’ ‹’ ‹