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Pregnancy is a rollercoaster of hormones. And after giving birth, your body needs time to readjust. This can lead to hormone imbalances, causing a range of symptoms.
Let’s take a look at what’s happening with your hormones after birth. We’ll also talk about the common signs of hormonal imbalance after pregnancy and when it’s time to see your doctor.
Key takeaways
- Pregnancy hormones significantly drop post-partum. This can lead to a spectrum of physical and emotional symptoms.
- Common symptoms of postpartum hormonal imbalance include mood swings, fatigue, low libido, irregular periods, and changes in thyroid function.
- Most hormone imbalances return to normal after a few months, but each woman’s journey is unique. If you’re concerned, talk to your healthcare provider.
- You can help balance your postpartum hormonal changes by prioritizing self-care, breastfeeding, and considering natural approaches like acupuncture and home remedies. Always consult your doctor before starting any new treatments.
Hormonal Changes After Pregnancy and Delivery
Reflect for a minute on your pregnancy journey. Some moments you felt on top of the world, and the next you felt panicked. That was your hormones!
During pregnancy, your body produces high levels of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. These support your baby’s development, and their levels dramatically drop right after delivery. And that hormone imbalance is what can cause temporary mood swings and fatigue.
But that’s not it. The postpartum hormones graph below shows the hormonal shifts that occur after pregnancy.
Here’s a deeper look at some of the key players in your postpartum journey, and the hormonal changes they undergo.
Estrogen and progesterone
These reproductive hormones rise steadily during pregnancy thanks to your placenta’s production.
Right after delivery, both estrogen and progesterone drop quickly. They reach pre-pregnancy levels within just a few days. Mood swings and fatigue are common side effects.
Oxytocin
Dubbed the “love hormone,” oxytocin levels rise during delivery and breastfeeding. This hormone stimulates uterine contraction to help with delivery and also helps boost milk production. Oxytocin levels decrease up to eight weeks postpartum.
In addition to that, oxytocin after birth works to build a bond between you and your baby. It establishes you as a caregiver and protector.
Prolactin
The role of this hormone is milk production.
The prolactin levels in your body increase during pregnancy and reach their peak at delivery. And as a breastfeeding mother, your prolactin levels spike every time you feed your baby. And for nonlactating mothers, prolactin levels return to pre-pregnancy levels within 3 weeks of giving birth.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
This hormone supports fetal development during pregnancy. But following delivery? You experience a rapid hCG postpartum hormone drop and levels return to normal fairly quickly.
Know more: hCG Doubling in Pregnancy: Why It Matters
Endorphins
You probably hear the most about endorphins in regard to exercise. But they play a much bigger role than that!
Endorphins are natural painkillers. They’re produced in the body to help you cope with stress and pain. The highest amounts of endorphins are released by the pituitary gland at delivery. And after that, their levels decline.
Cortisol
Cortisol increases during pregnancy to aid in fetal development and maturation. And you may find they rise again postpartum due to the new stress of caring for a baby.
Thyroid hormones
High estrogen levels during pregnancy increase the amount of bound T3 and T4 (thyroid hormones bound to proteins in your blood). This decreases the amount of free, active thyroid hormones. Since the body regulates thyroid function based on free hormone levels, TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) increases.
These thyroid hormone levels should adjust after delivery.
When Do Your Hormones Settle Back to Normal After Delivery?
You may feel like you’re on a rollercoaster. But know that your postpartum hormones are working hard to find their balance.
Here’s a postpartum hormones timeline to give you a rough idea of what to expect:
First 24 hours: Estrogen and progesterone return to pre-pregnancy levels quickly.
First few weeks: Total T3 and T4 levels usually drop postpartum, but free T3 and T4 stay relatively consistent.
First few months: Cortisol levels fall quickly after delivery. But you may experience some increase due to the new parenting stress.
3-6 months: Prolactin levels slowly decline and reach pre-pregnancy levels within 3-6 months.
These hormonal changes mean that your period and ovulation get unpredictable for the next few weeks or months. This makes it hard to know when you actually do start ovulating again.
To help with this, use the Inito Fertility Monitor. It gives you a read on 4 key fertility hormones on a single test strip – LH, estrogen, and FSH help predict your fertile window and PdG helps confirm if you’re ovulating again.
Signs of Hormonal Imbalance After Pregnancy
Some mood swings and fatigue are normal after delivery. It will take several months for your hormone levels to get back to normal. And during this time, feeling “off” is to be expected.
But, some signs can indicate a more significant hormonal imbalance that deserves attention.
Major mood swings
It’s okay to feel a little down or anxious after delivery. These baby blues are thanks to a drop in your postpartum hormones of estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, and endorphins. Add to that the likely lack of sleep, and the stress of a new baby, and mood swings start to feel normal.
However, watch for these signs of a bigger hormone imbalance:
- Persistent sadness
- Low self-esteem
- Trouble bonding with your baby
- Anxiety
- Loss of appetite
- Feelings of self-blame
- Sleep struggles
These could be signs of postpartum depression (PPD). This is a serious mood disorder that affecting about 8% of women in the U.S. Talk with your healthcare provider if any of the above symptoms sound familiar.
Excessive fatigue
Feeling tired after giving birth and becoming a new parent is par for the course. However, extreme fatigue is different. This hormone imbalance is called postpartum fatigue, and it’s a deep lack of energy levels that doesn’t improve with rest or sleep.
Other symptoms include:
- Decreased ability for physical activity
- Struggles with mental activity
- Troubles concentrating
Postpartum fatigue could also be caused by several factors such as anemia, thyroid disorders, and mood disorders.
Low libido
During breastfeeding, prolactin levels are elevated. And this can decrease your sex drive.
Doctors consider this normal until about the six-month mark when many women see an improvement. But, if your libido remains low after six months, it can indicate a hormonal imbalance.
Irregular cycles
Your menstrual cycle will return postpartum, but when, depends on your breastfeeding schedule. Prolactin (the hormone responsible for breast milk production) suppresses ovulation. So, you may find your postpartum period is irregular until you wean your baby.
However, if your cycles remain inconsistent for a long time, talk to your doctor. You may have a hormonal imbalance in the form of excess prolactin.
Symptoms of thyroid imbalance
Postpartum thyroiditis is a common condition where the thyroid gland becomes inflamed. And it can cause either an overactive or an underactive thyroid.
Overactive thyroid symptoms look and feel like:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Palpitations
- Unexplained
- weight loss
- Increased sensitivity to heat
- Fatigue
- Tremors
- Insomnia
Underactive thyroid symptoms look and feel like:
- Intolerance to cold
- Unexplained weight gain (despite decreased appetite)
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Myxedema (facial swelling)
- Dry skin
- Brittle hair
- Slow heart rate
- Troubles breathing with exertion
While all these signs are indicators of possible hormonal imbalance, your body goes through many changes post-pregnancy. Thus, it will show some signs. If these symptoms are present for a while and then get better, there’s no need to worry.
But if they persist for a longer time, then you need to seek attention from your doctor.
How to Balance Hormones Postpartum?
Here are ways to balance your hormones after giving birth.
Self-care
Taking care of yourself may not seem like a priority when you’ve just given birth, but it is so important. Here’s what you need:
Rest: As a new parent, this can be difficult, but prioritize it whenever possible. Quality sleep is vital for hormone regulation.
Stress management: Relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing can help reduce stress and improve your mental health.
Healthy diet: Fueling your body with the proper food is key to happy and healthy hormones. Eat a diet rich in whole foods with lots of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Regular exercise: Participating in regular, gentle exercises like walking or swimming helps to boost endorphins and improve your mood.
Breastfeeding
If you’re able to, breastfeeding is a great natural hormone regulator. It does so by stimulating prolactin and oxytocin production.
Herbal remedies and supplements
Some herbs like chasteberry may help regulate hormones.
And if you’re breastfeeding, your doctor may be able to test you for potential nutrient deficiencies and suggest supplements. Always consult your doctor before starting supplements.
Acupuncture
A few studies suggest that acupuncture can help balance hormones and reduce stress.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you experience any of the following, it’s important to consult with your doctor.
- A history of pre-existing hormonal conditions before pregnancy
- Symptoms of thyroid disease
- Persistent symptoms beyond the six-month mark
- Severe depression or anxiety that go beyond the standard baby blues
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Hormonal imbalance after pregnancy is common, and most women recover fully in time. However, if you’re concerned about your symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. Your healthcare provider can help diagnose the reason behind your postpartum hormone imbalance and develop a treatment plan.
FAQs
Each mother’s journey is unique, and each hormone takes a different amount of time to balance after birth.
But here’s a rough idea to help:
First 24 hours: Estrogen and progesterone stabilize
First few weeks: Thyroid levels stabilize
First few months: Cortisol levels stabilize
3-6 months: Prolactin levels stabilize
There are a few natural ways to achieve hormonal balance postpartum:
- Self-care
- Breastfeeding
- Herbal remedies and supplements
- Acupuncture
For most women, postpartum nausea should subside within a few days following birth. However, if you had severe morning sickness during pregnancy, your nausea may last longer postpartum.
Most women’s hormone levels stabilize within the first 6 months of childbirth. Others may experience hormone imbalance and fluctuations for longer.
If your hormonal imbalance symptoms persist and are affecting your day-to-day life, talk to your healthcare provider. You may have hormone-related conditions that are causing the imbalance.
Estrogen levels rise drastically during pregnancy to support the growth of your fetus. The exact levels vary, but here’s a general overview of how estrogen fluctuates throughout pregnancy.
FIRST TRIMESTER (Weeks 1-12)
Estrogen begins to rise quickly as the placenta develops.
SECOND TRIMESTER (Weeks 13-26)
Estrogen continues to rise, reaching its peak in the late second trimester. This helps the uterus prep for the growing fetus and supports placenta development.
THIRD TRIMESTER (Weeks 27-40)
Estrogen levels stay high to help the fetus’ lungs and other organs develop
Learn more: Healthy Estrogen Levels for Pregnancy: Why It’s Important
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