IMR Press / CEOG / Volume 22 / Issue 4 / pii/1995052

Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.

Case Report

Mood and hormonal changes during late pregnancy and puerperium

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1 Sha'ar Menashe Psychiatric Hospital, Hadera, Israel
2 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Israel
3 Geha Psychiatric Hospital, Petah Tiqva, Israel
4 Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
Clin. Exp. Obstet. Gynecol. 1995, 22(4), 321–325;
Published: 10 December 1995
Abstract

The present study was designed to assess the relationship between puerperal hor­monal changes and mood. Twenty-five postpartum physically and mentally healthy, drug-free wo­men were included in the study; seven later dropped out. Blood samples were drawn between 8 and 9 a.m. just prior to delivery, and again three days after delivery, before discharge. Blood levels of LH TSH, FSH, estrogen and prolactin were determined. Three days after delivery, a psychia­tric interview was conducted during which psychometric rating scales (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Hamilton Depression and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scales, and Beck Depression Inventory) were completed. The rate of change in hormonal blood levels was analyzed in relation to the scores on the rating scales. Results showed that the rise in prolactin plasma levels had a negative and significant correla­tion with the scores on the Hamilton anxiety scale. This may indicate that high prolactin plasma levels, associated with milk production, may lead to lower anxiety levels in lactating women.

Keywords
Postpartum
Mood
Hormonal changes
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