"Scientists Identify Reason Behind Postpartum Recovery in Some Mothers: Role of 'Tenderness Hormone'"
Losing Weight After Pregnancy: The Role of Hormones
Welcome to our discussion on hormones and weight regulation in women after childbirth!
Many new moms notice their weight remains steady during breastfeeding, but once lactation ends, it starts to creep up. If it doesn't return to normal after delivery, you're not alone. Let's dive into the science behind the "hormone of tenderness," also known as prolactin, and unravel the mysterious relationship between prolactin and estrogen.
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While estrogen helps control appetite and improves fat burning in non-pregnant women, during pregnancy, the level of prolactin starts to rise. By the time of childbirth, it peaks, aiding in pain relief and colostrum production. Simultaneously, estrogen levels plummet to a minimum.
Did you know that prolactin makes breastfeeding mothers eat more?! With low estrogen levels, it's no wonder many new mothers find themselves reaching for snacks constantly. Additionally, prolactin slightly reduces the speed of metabolism, making the burn of excess fat a slower process.
While this hormonal imbalance during lactation can help ensure the mother and baby are well-fed, it can make weight loss post-weaning a challenge. If prolactin remains high even after lactation is over, weight loss becomes particularly difficult.
Professor Ancha Baranova explains, "Losing weight gained after weaning can be difficult for a woman due to a high prolactin signal, particularly if she was taking contraceptives during breastfeeding, which would have suppressed the restoration of normal estrogen production."
Of course, there can be other reasons for postpartum weight gain, so it's essential to consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns about your weight and receive the necessary tests.
Protip: If you're looking to manage your postpartum weight, lifestyle modifications like a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding hormone-disrupting chemicals may help restore hormonal balance and facilitate weight loss.
Now, let's break down the hormonal changes post-childbirth:
Prolactin levels reach peak levels during childbirth to stimulate milk production. It's only during breastfeeding or chestfeeding that prolactin remains high, as it suppresses estrogen production.
Postpartum, reduced estrogen signaling in certain brain regions permits increased prolactin secretion, leading to hyperphagia (increased food intake) and decreased brown adipose tissue thermogenesis (calorie burning).
Restoring estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) signaling in these neural populations can reduce prolactin levels, decrease excessive eating, and increase thermogenesis.
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[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3154857/[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072942/[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6744890/[4] https://www.nc-biotech.org/topics/articles/modifying-prolactin-signaling-for-treating-lactation-defects-in-mothers/[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7501782/
- In the context of postpartum weight loss, high levels of prolactin, the hormone of tenderness, can contribute to increased food intake and slower metabolism, making it more challenging for mothers to lose excess weight.
- Science and health-and-wellness researchers are investigating the role of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in regulating prolactin levels postpartum, with the hope that restoring ERα signaling could help reduce excessive eating, stimulate calorie burning, and aid in the management of women's health and mental health related to weight loss after weaning.
