Myth: Postpartum dads don't experience hormonal changes
If you think moms are the only ones riding the rollercoaster of hormonal changes postpartum, I've got news for you: it ain't true.
I will share about the complex, fluctuating concoction of hormones that new dads experience in the most straightforward way possible (I hope).
When it comes to postpartum motherhood, the struggles of the experience are often empathized, as it's outwardly obvious there are physical changes (birth, breastfeeding, etc.) that are influenced by hormones.
Since Dad doesn't experience these physical events, it's assumed he has no physiological explanation for his struggles.
There are a handful of hormones that influence a father's caregiving experience. Some important ones include:
- Oxytocin (sense of safety)
- Vasopressin (defensive protection)
- Testosterone (threat detector)
- Cortisol (stress regulation)
After the baby is born, dads typically experience a decrease in testosterone (gasp!). This presents itself as increased involvement in caring for the baby (oh, that sounds alright).
BUT,
A decrease in testosterone increases the risk of postpartum depression (damn! So, should I try to raise my testosterone?).
Fathers who end up having higher levels of testosterone postpartum are more likely to be less involved (Oh… maybe not?).
After the baby is born, cortisol (the stress hormone) increases (You don't have to tell me twice).
BUT,
Increased cortisol paired with low testosterone results in more involvement with the baby (hmmm... ok, that's... good?).
BUT,
high cortisol levels also result in depression and anxiety (great.).
Dads with high cortisol AND testosterone levels experience stress and aggression in the relationship (Well... damn.).
I would get into vasopressin's roles in the fatherhood experience. However, I bet you're still trying to wrap your brain around the cortisol-testosterone tango.
I share this damned if you do, damned if you don't hormone equation to validate that YOU. ARE. GOING. THROUGH. IT. TOO.
It's hard. And you might not feel exactly like yourself.
A better sense of hormonal balance can be strived for through fitness and sleep. It can also be reflected on, validated, and processed in therapy.
If you are a dad finding yourself anxious and depressed after the birth of your baby, let your healthcare provider know ASAP.
You're also deserving of empathy and understanding during this challenging time.
Sources
Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., Verhees, M. W., Lotz, A. M., Alyousefi-van Dijk, K., & van IJzendoorn, M. H. (2022). Is paternal oxytocin an oxymoron? oxytocin, vasopressin, testosterone, oestradiol and cortisol in emerging fatherhood. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 377(1858). https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0060
Bos, P. A., Hechler, C., Beijers, R., Shinohara, K., Esposito, G., & de Weerth, C. (2018a). Prenatal and postnatal cortisol and testosterone are related to parental caregiving quality in fathers, but not in mothers. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 97, 94–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.07.013
Bos, P. A., Hechler, C., Beijers, R., Shinohara, K., Esposito, G., & de Weerth, C. (2018b). Prenatal and postnatal cortisol and testosterone are related to parental caregiving quality in fathers, but not in mothers. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 97, 94–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.07.013
Conde, A., Costa, R., & Figueiredo, B. (2021). Anxiety and depressive symptoms effects on cortisol trajectories from pregnancy to postpartum: Differences and similarities between women and men. Hormones and Behavior, 128, 104917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104917
Pan, X., Kaminga, A. C., Wen, S. W., Wang, Z., Wu, X., & Liu, A. (2020). The 24-hour urinary cortisol in post-traumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0227560