What hormones drop after breastfeeding?

Understanding Hormonal Changes After Breastfeeding
The journey of motherhood is marked by profound physiological changes, particularly in the realm of hormones. After breastfeeding, several key hormones experience significant drops, which can have a variety of emotional and physical effects on new mothers.
Key Hormones That Drop
1. Prolactin: This hormone is crucial for milk production. During breastfeeding, prolactin levels are elevated to facilitate lactation. However, once breastfeeding ceases, prolactin levels begin to decline. This drop can lead to feelings of sadness or loss, as many mothers associate breastfeeding with bonding and nurturing their child.
2. Oxytocin: Often referred to as the “love hormone,” oxytocin plays a vital role in the breastfeeding process by promoting milk letdown and fostering feelings of relaxation and attachment. When breastfeeding stops, oxytocin levels also decrease, which can contribute to emotional fluctuations and a sense of disconnection.
3. Estrogen and Progesterone: These hormones, which are elevated during pregnancy, drop sharply after childbirth. This decline is necessary for the body to transition into the postpartum phase and is particularly pronounced after the placenta is delivered. The low levels of estrogen and progesterone are essential for breastfeeding but can also lead to symptoms akin to those experienced during menopause, such as mood swings and physical discomfort .
Emotional and Physical Implications
The hormonal shifts that occur after breastfeeding can lead to a complex emotional landscape. Many mothers report feelings of sadness or relief as they navigate the end of breastfeeding. This emotional rollercoaster is largely attributed to the decrease in prolactin and oxytocin, which are associated with feelings of love and calm.
Physically, the drop in estrogen and progesterone can result in symptoms such as fatigue, dry skin, and difficulty losing weight postpartum. These changes are part of the body’s natural adjustment process but can be challenging for many women.
Conclusion
The hormonal changes that follow the cessation of breastfeeding are significant and multifaceted. Understanding these shifts can help new mothers navigate the emotional and physical challenges that accompany this transition. As they adjust to lower levels of prolactin, oxytocin, estrogen, and progesterone, support from family, friends, and healthcare providers can be invaluable in fostering a positive postpartum experience.

Will I lose weight if I stop breastfeeding?

It is it a myth that breastfeeding burns up lots of calories making milk. You will burn some stored body fat, but your body protects some fat for the purpose of breastfeeding. Many women don’t lose all the baby weight until they completely stop nursing.

What hormones does breastfeeding suppress?

On top of that, breastfeeding mimics menopause due to the production of the milk-producing hormone, prolactin, temporarily blocking estrogen production, which keeps your estrogen levels low (1). Decreased estrogen levels impact vaginal tissue, temporarily decreasing elasticity, blood flow, and thinning of the tissue.

How to regulate hormones after breastfeeding?

Eat Proteins – Proteins are necessary for your body to produce and regulate hormones. Try including more proteins and lean meats. Eat Fiber – Your body releases estrogen through bowel movements, so constipation can cause excess estrogen to be absorbed back into the bloodstream. Eat enough fiber to help you go.

What are the side effects of stopping breastfeeding?

Some might experience headaches or migraines, while others feel exhausted or even dizzy immediately after weaning. Another common post-weaning issue? Acne. Big hormone changes can really throw your body for a loop.

What hormones are released after breastfeeding?

When your baby suckles, it stimulates nerves that tell your body to release prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin causes the alveoli to make milk and oxytocin causes muscle contractions that push out of the alveoli and through the milk ducts.

What hormones are released after stopping breastfeeding?

“As women wean, the oxytocin stores start to go back to non-pregnant levels,” O’Neill says. “Oxytocin is known as the love hormone, so as it decreases you may feel sad, irritable or grumpy. Many women attribute this to fatigue, but the feeling is real and regulated by our hormones.”

Do estrogen levels drop after breastfeeding?

Estrogen: All women have low levels of estrogen for the first couple of months after giving birth. Continued breastfeeding extends this period for at least six months. For a few women, lower levels may last as long as they are nursing. Lower estrogen levels may cause vaginal dryness, tightness and tenderness.

Does breastfeeding cause low progesterone?

After birth, progesterone levels decline sharply. Since progesterone had been inhibiting the role of prolactin in milk production during pregnancy, this rapid drop in progesterone allows prolactin to become engaged in the lactation process.

When is the biggest hormone drop postpartum?

Postpartum hormones 6 months after delivery
If it’s the latter, the most significant potential change to your hormones around six months postpartum is the decrease of the hormone prolactin, the milk-making hormone. However, this change depends on your baby’s nursing patterns and if you’ve begun to wean.

What are the signs of low estrogen?

Signs of low estrogen include:

• Dry skin.
• Tender breasts.
• Weak or brittle bones.
• Trouble concentrating.
• Moodiness and irritability.
• Vaginal dryness or atrophy.
• Hot flashes and night sweats.
• Irregular periods or no periods (amenorrhea).