Hormonal Changes and Mood Swings in Postpartum Women

Postpartum women undergo complex physiological and psychological changes following childbirth. Among these, hormonal fluctuations are widely implicated in mood instability, ranging from transient “baby blues” to clinical disorders like postpartum depression (PPD). This paper investigates the endocrine mechanisms underlying postpartum hormonal alterations, explores their association with mood swings, and examines biological and psychosocial mediators. Results indicate that rapid declines in estrogen and progesterone, dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and neurotransmitter shifts contribute significantly to mood dysregulation. Implications for screening and therapeutic interventions are discussed.