New research suggests oxytocin, the ‘love hormone,’ may protect against mood disturbances caused by sleep disruption during reproductive transitions like postpartum and menopause
New research suggests that oxytocin, often referred to as the ‘love hormone’, may act as a protective buffer against mood disturbances caused by sleep deprivation and hormonal changes, particularly during key reproductive phases such as the postpartum period and menopause.
Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School explored the joint impact of sleep disruption and oestrogen suppression on mood and oxytocin levels in healthy premenopausal women.
Their findings shed light on how the hormone could play a key role in supporting emotional wellbeing during hormonally vulnerable life stages.
What did the study look at?
The researchers examined 38 healthy premenopausal women who participated in two five-night inpatient protocols. One protocol was conducted during the women’s natural hormonal state, while the other took place after estradiol suppression.
For the first two nights of each protocol, participants had uninterrupted sleep. This was followed by three nights of deliberately fragmented sleep to mimic common sleep patterns experienced during the postpartum and menopausal periods.
What did the findings reveal?
The study found that disrupted sleep significantly raised both mood disturbance and oxytocin levels. Importantly, women who had higher oxytocin levels before the sleep disruption experienced less mood disturbance the following day.
Researchers also noted that elevated oxytocin levels the day after disrupted sleep were associated with increased mood disturbance, suggesting a possible compensatory response of the body to emotional stress.
How does oxytocin act as a protective factor?
The research team observed that oxytocin levels rose in response to stress caused by sleep disturbance. Women who had higher baseline oxytocin levels before experiencing disrupted sleep showed better emotional resilience the next day.
This pattern suggests that oxytocin might serve as a biological buffer during times of hormonal and emotional vulnerability, particularly during reproductive transitions.
Why is this significant for women’s health?
Periods such as postpartum and menopause are often marked by intense hormonal shifts and sleep disruption, both of which can affect mental health. However, such changes are frequently dismissed as normal and not addressed with adequate care or support.
The findings offer biological evidence that fragmented sleep during these stages can meaningfully affect mood. Moreover, they indicate that oxytocin could help moderate these effects and provide emotional support in a natural way.
What does this mean for treatment approaches?
Millions of women experience mood-related symptoms during reproductive transitions. Current treatments often focus on antidepressants or hormone replacement therapy, which may not address the full picture.
The researchers suggest that oxytocin could serve as a natural mood modulator. Understanding its potential role could help create more holistic and supportive approaches to women’s mental health during times of hormonal change.
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