111 – Can hormones help postpartum psychosis?

Can hormones help postpartum psychosis? Why the fall in estrogen and progesterone after birth is so often overlooked.

Jade Lloyd had her daughter in December 2020 after a three-day labour. Within months she was living with anxiety, intrusive thoughts and suicidal feelings, and when she asked her health visitor for help she was told to have a glass of wine, some chocolate and a bath. Weeks later she had her first psychotic episode and was admitted to a mother and baby unit, yet hormones were never once mentioned as part of her treatment.

Jade, now a maternal mental health advocate, talks to Dr Louise Newson about recovery, relapse and why her GP said it wasn't normal for a 32-year-old to take hormones. Louise explains the pioneering work of Dr Katharina Dalton, how some antipsychotics can lower hormone levels and where progesterone may help.

Jade closes with three take-home tips for spotting the signs and finding support.

Follow Jade: @jadealloyd

Let’s connect

👉 If hormones have never been part of the conversation about your postnatal mental health, the doctors at Newson Clinic can talk it through with you: https://shorturl.at/B0GIl

👉 Follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode

👉 More from Dr Louise Newson: https://linkin.bio/drlouisenewson

Chapters

00:00 Why are hormones ignored after birth?01:36 What happened after Jade's traumatic birth?03:06 What did her six-week check miss?04:24 What are intrusive thoughts after birth like?06:01 Why was she told to have a glass of wine?07:05 What are the early signs of mania after birth?07:40 What does a psychotic episode feel like?09:04 What happens in a mother and baby unit?10:37 How did antipsychotics affect Jade's weight?11:51 Can postpartum psychosis come back?12:52 Did anyone ever mention her hormones?15:29 Why did psychiatrists ignore hormones?18:21 What is a therapeutic trial of hormones?18:50 How does Jade feel on hormone treatment?20:35 Why did her GP say hormones aren't 'normal' at 32?22:32 How should doctors weigh benefits and risks?26:16 Why is there a double standard on evidence?27:51 Can progesterone prevent postpartum psychosis?28:25 Can antipsychotics lower your hormone levels?28:53 How do you ask for hormone treatment?30:21 Are hormones safe while breastfeeding?31:40 What are the signs of postpartum psychosis?33:08 Where can families find support?

This conversation covers postpartum (postnatal) psychosis, intrusive thoughts, antipsychotics and the role of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone after birth.