According to Dr. Manjula Anagani - Clinical Director, Obstetrician-gynecologist and Head of Department, Care Vatsalya, Institute of Women and Children, CARE Hospital ( Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, India), postpartum depression (PPD) is a common problem for new mothers, causing anxiety, sadness and difficulty in bonding with their children. One of the important factors contributing to PPD is hormonal changes in the body after giving birth.
The impact of hormonal changes
Hormones play a key role in regulating the mood and emotions of postpartum mothers. Some key hormones that have a direct impact on postpartum depression include:
Estrogen and progesterone: During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone levels increase sharply, helping to maintain pregnancy. However, after giving birth, the concentration of these hormones suddenly decreases, causing changes in brain chemistry, affecting the mother's mood and emotions.
Cortisol: Stress hormone cortisol also increases during pregnancy and after giving birth, which can cause anxiety and stress.
Oxytocin: This hormone helps bond between mother and baby when breastfeeding. However, oxytocin deficiency can make mothers feel distant and have difficulty connecting with their children.
Postpartum thyroid inflammation: Thyroid inflammation can aggravate symptoms of depression and anxiety due to changes in thyroid hormone levels.
The role of hormones in postpartum depression
Hormones that affect the brain, especially neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, cause sadness, lack of energy and loss of interest. When estrogen and progesterone levels drop rapidly after giving birth, hormonal imbalances change these substances, increasing the risk of depression. In addition, physical and psychological changes, sleep problems, and fatigue can make postpartum depression worse.
Treatment strategies
According to Dr. Manjula Anagani, postpartum depression can be affected by many factors, including hormonal changes, treatment often requires a combination of many different methods:
Balance hormones: estrogen therapy helps supplement deficient hormones, but requires medical monitoring because it can have side effects.
Thyroid filter: detecting and treating thyroid inflammation helps reduce symptoms of depression.
Adjust your lifestyle: A balanced diet and yoga and meditation exercises help improve your mood and reduce stress.
Psychological support: Psychological counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps mothers cope with anxiety and depression.
Conclusion
Dr. Manjula Anagani emphasizes that postpartum depression is a complex problem that can be related to many factors, in which hormones play a very important role. Each woman will have a different reaction to hormonal changes, so treatment needs to be personalized. Balancing hormones, checking and treating thyroid problems, along with a healthy lifestyle and psychological support, are effective strategies to deal with postpartum depression.
