Bringing a new baby into the world can be a time of happiness, but for many parents, it can also bring unexpected emotional challenges. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health condition that affects up to 1 in 10 mothers, often leaving them feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or hopeless during what’s often expected to be a joyful time. Fathers and non-birthing partners can also experience PPD.
For many people, traditional treatments – like therapy and medication – can be effective. But they don’t always work for everyone. Some new parents may hesitate to take medication due to side effects or concerns about breastfeeding, while others may struggle to feel any improvements. That’s where transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy offers a promising alternative.
TMS is a non-invasive, drug-free brain stimulation therapy that’s already FDA approved for depression, and emerging research suggests it may also be effective in treating postpartum depression. In this article, we’ll explore what postpartum depression is, how TMS works, and what the current research says about TMS for PDD.
What is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression (also known as postnatal depression or PPD) is a type of depression that can develop in the weeks, months, or even years after having a baby. While the arrival of a new child is often seen as a joyful time, postpartum depression can feel like a dark cloud hanging over what’s meant to be a special chapter in life.
As many as 1 in 10 mothers experience postpartum depression, although some estimates suggest the number may be even higher. It’s marked by persistent feelings of sadness, fatigue, anxiety, or disconnection from the baby, others, or even yourself. These symptoms can interfere with bonding, self-care, and daily functioning.
Postpartum depression can also affect fathers and non-birthing partners. The emotional and lifestyle changes that come with new parenthood can impact anyone, and nobody is immune.
Learn more: Postpartum Depression: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Postnatal depression symptoms
It’s completely normal for new mothers to feel overwhelmed, emotional, or tearful in the first couple of weeks after giving birth. These early shifts – often called the ‘baby blues’ – are usually short-lived and linked to hormonal changes, lack of sleep, and the stress of adjusting to a new reality.
But when these feelings persist beyond the first two weeks, become more intense, or begin to interfere with daily life, they may be signs of postnatal depression.
Common symptoms of postpartum depression include:
- Persistent low mood or overwhelming sadness that doesn’t seem to lift
- Lack of enjoyment in activities that once brought pleasure
- Exhaustion combined with difficulty sleeping, even when the baby is resting
- Trouble bonding with the baby or feeling emotionally disconnected
- Irritability, hopelessness, or anxiety that feels hard to control
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness
- Scary, intrusive thoughts, such as fears of harming the baby or yourself (while these thoughts can be extremely distressing, they don’t mean a person will act on them).
Postnatal depression can develop gradually or suddenly, and symptoms can vary in intensity. Some parents may mask their struggles or feel ashamed to ask for help, but PDD is not a personal failure. It is a real and treatable medical condition.
Treating postpartum depression
The first line treatment for postpartum depression is often a combination of psychotherapy, support groups, and antidepressant medications:
Psychotherapy can include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), aimed at helping individuals process emotions, develop coping skills, and rebuild confidence. Therapy can especially be helpful in managing the guilt, shame, and isolation that often accompany postpartum depression.
Antidepressant medication is commonly prescribed to help regulate mood and reduce symptoms over time. The most common antidepressants prescribed for PDD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, there are important considerations when it comes to medication. Many antidepressants are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to their potential to cross the placenta or pass into breastmilk. Even when deemed safe, some parents may prefer to avoid medication altogether.
These traditional treatments can be effective for many people, but they don’t always work for everyone. When conventional therapies don’t work, it can leave new parents feeling discouraged or stuck, especially during a time when support and stability are most needed.
For those who haven’t found relief through these treatments – or who prefer to not take medication – TMS offers a safe and effective alternative to treat postpartum depression without affecting the rest of the body.
What is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)?
TMS is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment used to help manage a variety of mental health conditions, including major depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
TMS works by delivering gentle, targeted magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. Unlike medication, which circulates throughout the body, TMS acts directly on brain circuits, helping to restore balance in neural activity without systemic effects.
During a typical session, the patient sits comfortably in a chair while the technician places a coil on the scalp. The device then emits electromagnetic pulses aimed at regions of the brain associated with depression. The treatment is completely outpatient, requires no anesthesia, and allows patients to return to daily activities immediately after their session.
What is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)?
Repetitive transcranial magnetic simulation (rTMS) is the most widely used form of TMS therapy in clinical settings. Unlike single-pulse TMS, which delivers one magnetic pulse at a time, rTMS uses a series of repeated pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. This repetitive stimulation helps strengthen or rebalance brain activity linked to mood, motivation, and emotional regulation.
Since most therapeutic TMS treatments use this method, the terms TMS and rTMS are often used interchangeably.
Benefits of TMS compared to antidepressants
For new mothers, one of the greatest advantages of TMS therapy is its lack of systemic side effects. While many antidepressants are effective, they can cause unpleasant or disruptive symptoms such as nausea, agitation, weight changes, insomnia, cognitive fog, or sexual dysfunction. These side effects are not associated with TMS, making it a safer and more comfortable alternative for breastfeeding or postpartum individuals who may wish to avoid medications entirely.
TMS is also known to produce faster and longer-lasting results than traditional antidepressants, especially in cases of treatment-resistant depression – where two or more medications have been used without results.
How does TMS work for postpartum depression?
TMS therapy for postpartum depression works by stimulating the prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain responsible for mood regulation, motivation, decision-making, and social connection. This area often shows reduced activity in people with depression, including PDD. TMS helps reset and rebalance these brain circuits using gentle, targeted magnetic pulses.
Unlike medication, which can dull emotions or cause systemic side effects, TMS works at the neurological level by encouraging the brain to form healthier patterns without affecting the entire body. It doesn’t numb feelings or mask symptoms – instead, it targets the root of the problem by helping the brain function more effectively.
A typical course of TMS for postpartum depression involves around 30 treatment sessions delivered over a period of about six weeks. Each session lasts between 20 to 40 minutes. For those needing a more condensed treatment schedule, accelerated TMS offers a faster line of treatment with multiple treatments per day delivered over just two weeks.
Keep Reading: Accelerated TMS vs. Traditional TMS: Which One Makes Sense for You?
Although TMS is not yet FDA-approved specifically for postpartum depression, growing evidence supports its use as an off-label treatment for PPD. ‘Off-label’ means that treatments are supported by clinical research but not yet formally approved for a specific condition. When both the provider and patient agree on the potential risks and benefits, off-label use is legally permitted and often medically appropriate.
Research into TMS for postpartum depression
Research into TMS for postpartum depression shows promising results. Several small-scale studies and clinical trials suggest that TMS is not only safe and well-tolerated, but also highly effective in reducing depressive symptoms in postpartum women – often with remission rates exceeding those seen in the general adult population.
Let’s take a look at what some of the research says about TMS for PDD.
One pilot study explored the impact of rTMS on a small group of women with postpartum depression. Six participants received 20 sessions of 10 Hz rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a key region in mood regulation, across four weeks. Importantly, none of the participants were taking antidepressant medication during the study. The study found:
- Significant reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms by the end of treatment
- 4 out of 6 participants achieved remission based on their Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores
- Participants experienced a 50% reduction in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores
- At follow-up, 66.7% of participants remained in remission at 3 months and 50% sustained remission at 6 months
- No cognitive side effects were observed, and cognitive assessments remained stable before and after treatment.
These results are in line with several other notable studies on TMS for postpartum depression. For example, one open-label study in 2010 delivered 20 sessions of rTMS to nine antidepressant-free women over four weeks. 88.9% achieved remission, most within just two weeks, and nearly all sustained remission at the 6-month follow up.
Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study involved 14 women with PPD. Participants who received rTMS showed a significant reduction in depression severity, along with improved social and cognitive functioning, compared to those receiving sham treatment.
In 2016, an open-label trial delivered TMS to 25 women, five times a week for eight weeks. By the end of treatment, 74% had achieved remission with EPDS scores dropping by an average of 60%.
Across all these studies, TMS consistently shows high remission rates, sustained benefits, and minimal side effects when delivering TMS therapy to individuals with postpartum depression. This offers real hope for new mothers seeking relief without medication, or for those who haven’t responded to traditional treatments.
Keep Reading: How Successful is TMS Therapy?
TMS vs electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Both TMS and ECT are brain stimulation therapies used for major depressive disorder, but there are key differences between the two.
Unlike ECT, TMS doesn’t require anesthesia and doesn’t involve inducing a seizure. This treatment is non-invasive and patients remain fully awake and alert throughout the session. There is no recovery time needed and individuals can return to normal activities – like driving or caring for a baby – immediately afterwards.
Another difference is the absence of cognitive side effects. ECT may cause temporary memory loss or confusion, but TMS has not been shown to negatively affect cognitive function. It also doesn’t require additional medications, making it a safer and more comfortable option for postpartum mothers who wish to avoid systemic treatments.
Read More: TMS vs. ECT: Which is better?
Is TMS therapy safe?
Yes, TMS therapy is generally considered safe and well-tolerated. Because it’s a non-invasive treatment, it doesn’t involve medication, sedation, or surgery. But like any medical treatment, TMS can cause side effects in some people. Most side effects are mild, temporary, and tend to resolve on their own as the body adapts to the therapy.
Common side effects might include:
- Tingling or twitching in facial muscles
- Mild headaches
- Scalp discomfort or neck pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
The most serious – but extremely rare – potential side effect is a seizure, which occurs in less than 0.01% of treatments, or less than 1 in 10,000 sessions. To minimize this risk, all patients are thoroughly screened for any risk factors before beginning treatment.
Keep Reading: TMS Side Effects: All You Need to Know
TMS for postpartum depression
If you or a loved one are struggling with postpartum or perinatal depression, know that recovery is possible and you don’t have to go through it alone. To explore if TMS therapy is right for you, don’t hesitate to contact our team at BestMind Behavioral Health.
We offer this revolutionary treatment at our clinics in Colorado and Oregon, and we’re here to help you with compassionate care and support. Get in touch with us now to discuss TMS for postpartum depression.
