Oxytocin Helps Tackle Postpartum Depression, Says Study Childbirth is considered the most joyous experience in a woman’s life; however, for some it may not be the case due to childbirth complications, such as delayed labor, weak contractions of the womb and heavy bleeding because of the contraction of the uterus. For the women who experience such problems may be administered synthetic oxytocin as the hormone oxytocin assists in stimulating uterine muscles, inducing labor, speeding the delivery of the placenta and reducing the risk of post-delivery hemorrhages. Manufactured oxytocin is delivered to induce labor if it doesn’t start naturally. Besides playing a vital role in childbirth, oxytocin also has other functions. As a hormone, oxytocin is not only essential for numerous organs, including the breast and uterus, but also as a chemical messenger in the brain it controls the key aspects of the reproductive system, such as childbirth and lactation. Oxytocin is produced by the hypothalamus and secreted into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland. Recent studies show that oxytocin plays an important role in shaping social behaviors and affects human behaviors, such as sexual arousal, recognition, trust, anxiety and motherinfant bonding. It is also associated with a range of neuropsychiatric functions, such as schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders. In an array of psychiatric diseases, there has been an evidence for oxytocin dysfunction. Moreover, oxytocin decreases cortisol release and anxiety in response to stress, while it reduces amygdala activity to fearful or threatening situations. Synthetic oxytocin for postpartum depression Scientists suspect the role of synthetic oxytocin in the development of depressive and anxiety disorders after childbirth due to its impact on social behaviors, particularly maternal behaviors. It is also a well-known fact that oxytocin acts as a mediator of postpartum depression and anxiety. To understand this relationship, Kristina Deligiannidis, M.D., Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in New York and her colleagues examined data on peripartum patients who were intravenously administered synthetic oxytocin between 2005 and 2014 at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care.
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The study was published in the journal Depression and Anxiety. It comprised 9,684 participants who were administered peripartum synthetic oxytocin called Pitocin two weeks prior to delivery date to assist them in childbirth. Around 37,048 deliveries without peripartum synthetic oxytocin exposure were taken as the control group. Depending on the advent of the diagnosis for depression and anxiety, duration of antidepressant or anxiolytic medication prescriptions, the participants were divided into three groups:
Prepregnancy (diagnosis and prescriptions over one year prior to delivery) Pregnancy (diagnosis and prescriptions during pregnancy or 40 weeks ahead of delivery date) Postpartum (diagnosis and prescriptions one year after delivery)
The researchers made the following observations:
Exposure to peripartum oxytocin increased the risk of depression or anxiety in the first postpartum year by approximately 32 percent in women with no history of prepregnancy depression or anxiety. Women with a history of prepregnancy depression or anxiety disorders, the exposure to the peripartum oxytocin increased the risk of depression or anxiety by approximately 36 percent. The risks for the onset of postpartum depression and anxiety was present in women who have given birth multiple times.
Although the researchers could not safely gauge the impact of synthetic oxytocin on the endogenous levels of oxytocin, they concluded that synthetic oxytocin can adversely impact postpartum moods. According to Deligiannidis, “Since synthetic oxytocin is such an important and commonly used medicine for peripartum women, further research should examine dose, duration, timing, and the reason for treatment so that we can better identify which women may be at risk for developing postpartum depression and anxiety.” Treat postpartum depression to build stronger relationships It is common to experience sadness or melancholy following childbirth. However, when the overwhelming feeling of sadness and despondency persists for over two weeks, it is likely that the woman may be developing postpartum depression. In such a situation, it is essential for one to seek medical intervention at the earliest to avoid further aggravation of the woman’s condition. If you or a loved one is grappling with depression, be it related to childbirth or otherwise, it is important to seek professional help. The Depression Treatment Helpline can assist in accessing the best treatment options, including residential depression treatment centers that specialize in delivering holistic and evidence-based intervention plans. Call us at our 24/7 helpline number 866-619-7729 to know more about inpatient depression treatment centers around you.
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