When people hear the phrase postpartum depression, most think of mothers. That makes sense. Pregnancy and birth place enormous physical and emotional demands on women.
But postpartum depression is not limited to women. Yes, men can get postpartum depression. And in many cases, biology plays a bigger role than people realize.
What Is Postpartum Depression in Men?
Postpartum depression in men, often called paternal postpartum depression, refers to depressive or anxiety symptoms that develop during pregnancy or within the first year after a child is born.
While men do not experience pregnancy or childbirth, research now shows that fatherhood is associated with measurable hormonal changes, including significant drops in testosterone. These changes can affect mood, energy, motivation, and emotional regulation. So while the hormonal process looks different than it does for mothers, it is still very real.
How Postpartum Changes Affect Men: At a Glance
| Area of Change | What Happens | How It Can Feel Day-to-Day |
|---|---|---|
| Testosterone Levels | Testosterone often drops during late pregnancy and the first months after birth | Low energy, depressed mood, irritability, reduced motivation, feeling “off” or unlike yourself |
| Sleep | Fragmented or insufficient sleep becomes chronic | Anxiety spikes, emotional reactivity, brain fog, poor stress tolerance |
| Stress Hormones | Cortisol levels may remain elevated due to responsibility and vigilance | Constant tension, restlessness, difficulty relaxing, feeling on edge |
| Identity Shift | Transition into fatherhood changes roles, priorities, and self-concept | Feeling lost, trapped, or disconnected from former identity |
| Relationship Dynamics | Less intimacy and more logistical pressure | Loneliness, rejection sensitivity, emotional withdrawal |
| Emotional Processing | Men are less likely to verbalize distress | Anger, numbness, shutdown, or somatic symptoms instead of sadness |
| Support Drop-Off | Help often fades after early postpartum period | Increased isolation just as exhaustion peaks |
Many men assume their symptoms are personal failures or character flaws. Seeing the changes laid out clearly helps reframe postpartum depression as a predictable mind-body response, not a weakness.
Hormonal shifts like testosterone decline don’t act alone. They interact with sleep deprivation, stress, and emotional load. When those stack together, even highly capable, stable men can struggle.
Hormonal Changes in Men After Childbirth
One of the most overlooked contributors to postpartum depression in men is testosterone decline. Multiple studies have found that men often experience a noticeable drop in testosterone levels during late pregnancy and after their child is born. In some men, this drop is substantial.
Lower testosterone has been linked to:
- Depressed mood
- Fatigue and low energy
- Increased irritability
- Reduced libido
- Difficulty concentrating
- Emotional blunting or numbness
From a biological standpoint, this shift may promote bonding and caregiving behaviors. But psychologically, it can leave men feeling unlike themselves, especially if they don’t understand what’s happening. When hormonal changes combine with sleep deprivation, stress, and identity shifts, the risk for depression and anxiety increases.
How Common Is Postpartum Depression in Fathers?
Research suggests that about 8 to 10 percent of fathers experience postpartum depression, with some studies estimating higher rates when anxiety is included.
Symptoms often peak three to six months after birth, which is when adrenaline fades, support decreases, and exhaustion accumulates. Men are also less likely to report symptoms or seek help, meaning many cases go unrecognized.
Other Contributing Factors
Hormones are part of the picture, but rarely the whole story. Common contributing factors include:
Sleep Deprivation
Chronic sleep loss disrupts emotional regulation and stress tolerance.
Relationship Changes
Shifts in intimacy, communication, and roles can lead to feelings of rejection or invisibility.
Pressure to Provide
Many men feel intense internal pressure to be strong, stable, and financially secure. When reality feels shaky, shame often follows.
Past Mental Health or Trauma
A history of depression, anxiety, trauma, or substance use increases vulnerability.
Partner’s Mental Health
When one partner is struggling postpartum, the emotional strain often affects the other.
Signs of Postpartum Depression in Men
Men’s symptoms often look different than what people expect from depression.
Common signs include:
- Irritability or anger
- Emotional withdrawal
- Anxiety or constant tension
- Feeling overwhelmed or trapped
- Loss of interest in previously meaningful things
- Increased substance use
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
- Physical symptoms like chest tightness, headaches, or fatigue
- Thoughts of escape, numbness, or hopelessness
Many men don’t describe feeling “sad.” Instead, they feel disconnected, agitated, or constantly on edge.
Why Men Often Stay Silent
Cultural expectations still tell men they should be grateful, strong, and unaffected. When they struggle, many assume something is wrong with them rather than recognizing a biological and psychological response to major life change.
Silence often feels safer in the short term, but it tends to deepen distress over time.
Impact on the Family
Untreated postpartum depression in men can affect bonding, increase conflict, and strain relationships during a critical developmental period for the child. Addressing mental health early is not selfish. It supports the entire family system.
When to Get Help for Male Postpartum Depression
If symptoms last more than two weeks, interfere with daily functioning, or feel like they’re worsening, professional support matters.
Treatment options may include:
- Individual therapy
- Couples counseling
- Psychiatric evaluation when appropriate
- Trauma-informed care
- Hormonal assessment when clinically indicated
At Montare Behavioral Health, we regularly work with men whose mental health shifted after becoming fathers. These experiences are more common than people realize, and they are treatable.
A Final Word
Postpartum depression in men is not weakness. It is not a failure to love your child. And it is not something to power through. It is the result of real hormonal changes, real stress, and real responsibility arriving all at once. Support helps. And no father should feel like he has to navigate this alone.
Sources
- Cameron, J. L., & Schneider, J. E. (2018). Testosterone and the regulation of male reproductive behavior. Hormones and Behavior, 104, 131–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.06.003
- Condon, J. T., Boyce, P., & Corkindale, C. J. (2004). The first-time fathers study: A prospective study of the mental health and wellbeing of men during the transition to parenthood. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 38(1–2), 56–64. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1614.2004.01298.x
- Gettler, L. T., McDade, T. W., Feranil, A. B., & Kuzawa, C. W. (2011). Longitudinal evidence that fatherhood decreases testosterone in human males. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(39), 16194–16199. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1105403108
- Kim, P., & Swain, J. E. (2007). Sad dads: Paternal postpartum depression. Psychiatry, 4(2), 35–47. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2922346/
- Paulson, J. F., & Bazemore, S. D. (2010). Prenatal and postpartum depression in fathers and its association with maternal depression: A meta-analysis. JAMA, 303(19), 1961–1969. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/185923
- Ramchandani, P., Stein, A., Evans, J., & O’Connor, T. G. (2005). Paternal depression in the postnatal period and child development: A prospective population study. The Lancet, 365(9478), 2201–2205. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(05)66778-5
- Saxbe, D. E., Edelstein, R. S., Lyden, H. M., Wardecker, B. M., Chopik, W. J., & Moors, A. C. (2017). Fathers’ decline in testosterone and synchrony with partner testosterone during pregnancy predicts greater postpartum parenting involvement. Hormones and Behavior, 90, 39–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.12.005
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2023). Postpartum depression. https://medlineplus.gov/postpartumdepression.html