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Select treatment area Bladder & Kidneys Blood Brain & nervous system Cancer Children's health Diabetes Digestive system Ear, nose & throat Eating & weight Eyes Fertility Heart and circulation Hormones Infections Lungs & breathing Men's health Mental health Mouth Muscles & bones Pregnancy & childbirth Sexual health Skin Sleep Staying healthy Travel health Women's health

Hormones are chemicals that help to control how your body works. Pregnancy causes big changes in your hormones. These changes may have a role in postpartum depression.

The main changes are:¹

• Your level of a hormone called estrogen rises to 50 times the normal level by the last three months of pregnancy. This is the main hormone made by your ovaries. Your estrogen level falls back to normal in the three days after your baby is born.
• Your level of the hormone progesterone rises to 10 times the normal level when you're pregnant. Then it falls back to normal in the week after your baby is born.
• Your level of the hormone cortisol rises to two times to three times the normal level. Then it slowly decreases after birth.
• Your level of the hormone prolactin goes up to seven times its normal level when you are pregnant. This hormone helps your breasts make milk. The level drops back to normal in the three months after birth.

We don't know for certain if these hormone changes play a part in causing postpartum depression. But some women who get the illness may be more sensitive to these hormone changes than others.²

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.