Recognizing Signs of Hormone Imbalance After Pregnancy

Postpartum hormonal changes: What are they?

Postpartum hormonal changes occur when your body experiences shifting hormone levels after birth. After your baby is born, the doctor removes the afterbirth or placenta, which sends signals to your body that you’re no longer pregnant and triggers hormonal shifts. Immediately, there’s a sharp drop in estrogen and progesterone levels, the primary pregnancy hormones that rise steadily throughout your pregnancy to support fetal growth. In addition, hormone changes after birth include a return of hCG levels to pre-pregnancy baseline levels.

Post pregnancy hormones: Stress and adaptation

It may sound new to you, but giving birth and adjusting to a new life can be a significant source of stress for your body, relationships, and daily routine. Some people adjust well, especially with support from family and friends, while others may find it hard to cope with ongoing stress and new responsibilities. This can be particularly challenging if you are accustomed to being strong and taking on everything yourself. It’s important to recognize when you need help and to ask for it. Persistent stress, especially when you cannot adapt to these changes, can lead to various health issues.

Top 6 signs of hormone imbalance after pregnancy

While every woman responds differently to fluctuating hormones after birth, there are some common signs to look for indicating a postpartum hormonal imbalance.

Sadness, anxiety, and tearfulness

Around 85% of women may experience some type of mood disturbance after giving birth; some of them will have postpartum “baby blues,” while others may have postpartum depression. Hormonal changes postpartum are among the factors that can be responsible for such mood changes. While the baby blues go away, postpartum depression will linger on. If you have a history of mood disorders or anxiety, a family history of depression, or are genetically predisposed to mental health issues, you may be at a higher risk of experiencing this serious condition.

Irregular or heavier periods

When you’ll get your first period after giving birth varies from woman to woman since it takes time for your menstrual cycle to regulate after pregnancy. Additionally, breastfeeding women may not get a period until they are no longer nursing, however, ovulation and period typically return between 6 to 12 months after giving birth. If you’re not breastfeeding, you can generally expect to restart your period within 12 weeks of delivery.

Fatigue, weight gain and mood swings

A hormone imbalance after pregnancy can cause postpartum thyroiditis, a condition where the thyroid can initially release too many hormones and then too little. This hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism fluctuation usually occurs after the first few months of delivery and can cause fatigue, weight gain, and mood swings.

When do hormones regulate after birth?

You may have heard about postpartum hormone crash or imbalance, you’re probably wondering, “When will my hormones balance after giving birth?” First of all, follow your feelings; you don’t have to focus on hormone levels themselves, as all hormones serve as messengers. In addition, we will share a timeline for a few hormones that change during the postpartum period: estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

1 to 3 months postpartum – Within the first days after giving birth, your estrogen, hCG, and progesterone levels decline. Up to 6 weeks postpartum, prolactin levels are high and then start to decline.

3 to 6 months postpartum – By 6 months postpartum, hormones estrogen and progesterone typically reach their pre-pregnancy levels as you’re starting to ovulate again.

6 to 9 months postpartum – Around 9 months postpartum, hormones have evened out, and prolactin levels return to pre-pregnancy levels.

9 to 12 months postpartum – You are likely ovulating. However, if you occasionally experience an absence of ovulation, this may indicate lower estrogen and progesterone levels during some cycles. This is not a significant concern, as you can expect your cycles to become more regular over time after you stop breastfeeding.

Lastly, there is no specific hormone imbalance 1 year after childbirth. However, if you are experiencing exhaustion, weight gain, or irregular cycles, it may indicate that your prolactin levels are higher than expected, or your thyroid is not functioning properly, or there may be an issue related to your ovaries.

Tips on how to balance hormones postpartum

Your first priority should be to take care of yourself and your child. Typically, your hormone levels will return to what they were before pregnancy on their own without needing any extra measures, but there are simple steps you can take to support your hormonal health. Here are a few tips to help with hormonal changes after pregnancy.

Eat a healthy diet

Eating nutrient-dense foods is an excellent way to combat a hormonal imbalance postpartum. Choose foods like lean protein, whole grain, and vegetables high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It’s also important to limit unhealthy processed foods and sugar, which can disrupt your metabolism and hormone balance. This will help you nourish your body properly and support healthy weight loss if you’ve gained a few extra kilos during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Exercise

Exercise will help you regulate hormone changes after pregnancy. You don’t have to lift heavy weights or run miles on the treadmill; walking outside and even cleaning the house keeps your body moving, which is incredibly beneficial. Be sure to wait until your 6-week checkup and talk to your doctor before starting any postpartum exercise routine.

Get enough sleep

Proper sleep is essential to hormonal health, but admittedly, it can be a challenge to get with a newborn. If possible, try to sleep whenever your baby sleeps and rest as often as possible.

Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated will help your body function properly and help you fight fatigue throughout the day. Proper hydration is a key part of supporting hormonal health.

As you can see, balancing hormones after pregnancy involves being active, being mindful of sleep, nourishing your body properly, and asking for help before feeling completely exhausted.

When to consult a healthcare professional

While hormonal fluctuations after pregnancy are normal, it’s important to know when to consult a healthcare professional. In certain situations, treatment with medications may be required. You should call your doctor if you experience the following symptoms:

• Persistent feelings of anxiety, depression, or sadness.
• Intense mood swings, difficulty sleeping, and irritability.
• Difficulty bonding with your baby, low appetite, or extreme fatigue.
• Increased heart rate, hot or cold sensitivity, and dry skin.

Your doctor will perform a blood or urine test to check your hormone levels and could prescribe medicine. Postpartum hormonal imbalance treatment will depend on the affected gland that produces specific hormones. While hormonal fluctuations are normal, you don’t have to suffer through painful symptoms.

Knowing how to recognize signs of hormonal imbalance after pregnancy can help you take the necessary steps to support hormone health. Hormona is the award-winning hormone tracker revolutionizing women’s hormone health. It gives you the tools and insights you need to understand your body and feel your best.

FAQ

Why is my belly so big 4 months postpartum?

A bulging belly 4 months postpartum could be due to diastasis recti, where the abdominal muscles separate from pregnancy. The condition is common and generally corrects itself in a few months.

How long does it take for the pregnancy hormone to leave your body?

The time it takes for the pregnancy hormone hCG to leave your body can range from 7 to 60 days.

How can I check my hormone levels myself?

Before you begin searching for at-home testing kits, take a moment to assess how you feel. This is particularly important because if you’re feeling well, you may not need any specific tests. Testing your hCG levels after pregnancy can be beneficial if you suspect you might be pregnant again, while checking your progesterone levels can help determine if you have started ovulating.

If you suspect another pregnancy, the simplest option is to purchase an hCG urine test. However, remember to wait until at least three months after giving birth before taking this test. To identify when you start ovulating, monitor your cervical mucus; when it reaches an egg-white consistency, you can then purchase a urinary progesterone kit to confirm whether ovulation has occurred.

For additional specific tests, such as checking prolactin or thyroid hormone levels, you can buy at-home kits designed for those purposes.

When is the best time to have a second baby?

The short answer is between 18 months and 5 years after giving birth. However, there are a few factors that determine the best time to have a second baby. They include:

• Maternal health – The recommended timespan between pregnancies is 18+ months for optimal maternal health. This time could be longer if there are complications like preeclampsia or preterm labor in the pregnancy.
• The child’s development – It’s a good idea to consider the age and development of your first child since managing a second baby is often easier with an older child.
• Your lifestyle – Consider factors like childcare, work schedules, and your financial situation.