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Hormones, Mood and Sexuality in Lactating Women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

E. M. Alder ,
A. Cook ,
D. Davidson ,
C. West  and
J. Bancroft
E. M. Alder
Affiliation:
Ward 36, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9YW
A. Cook
Affiliation:
Ward 36, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9YW
D. Davidson
Affiliation:
Ward 36, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9YW
C. West
Affiliation:
Ward 36, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9YW
J. Bancroft*
Affiliation:
MRC Reproductive Biology Unit, Centre for Reproduction Biology, 37 Chalmers Street, Edinburgh EH3 9EW
*
Correspondence
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Abstract

Of 25 primiparous women, investigated prospectively for six months post-partum, 19 persisted with breast feeding and six changed to artificial during the first six weeks. Sexual activity, mood, and feeding patterns were recorded in weekly diaries. Hormones were measured from weekly urine samples (oestrogen and pregnanediol) and fortnightly blood samples (prolactin, testosterone, androstenedione, and sex hormone binding globulin). In breast-feeding women, testosterone and androstenedione levels were significantly lower in those who reported severe reduction in sexual interest. Changes in sexuality or mood were not related to levels of prolactin or oestrogen, or to the return of follicular activity, which was delayed in persistent breast feeders. The relationships of mood, sexuality, and hormones are discussed.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 148 , Issue 1 , January 1986 , pp. 74 - 79
Copyright
Copyright © 1986 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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