Parity-Related Variation in Cortisol Concentrations in Hair During Pregnancy and Postpartum: A Prospective Cohort Study

    June 2020 in “ Authorea (Authorea) ”
    Ína Marteinsdóttir, Gunilla Sydsjö, shild Faresj, Elvar Theodorsson, Ann Josefsson
    TLDR First-time mothers had higher stress hormone levels in late pregnancy than mothers who had given birth before.
    This study investigated hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) in 390 pregnant women, measured monthly from gestational week 26 through postpartum. It found that cortisol levels increased during pregnancy, peaking around childbirth, with higher levels in first-time mothers (primiparae) compared to those with previous births (multiparae). The study confirmed that HCC is a reliable measure of long-term cortisol activity, reflecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. The findings suggested that primiparae experienced more stress, particularly in the third trimester, and that the HPA axis responded differently to placental cortisol production in multiparous women, indicating a more prepared negative feedback system.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community Does Ashwagandha cause hair loss?

      in Chat  24 upvotes 1 year ago
      User asks if Ashwagandha causes hair loss while using Finasteride and Minoxidil. Replies suggest Ashwagandha may increase shedding, but raising testosterone within normal levels likely won't significantly affect hair loss.

      community [SAD UPDATE] 11 Months Topical Finasteride on TrichoSol - Hair got worse - Need Opinions

      in Progress Pictures  9 upvotes 8 months ago
      A user expressed disappointment that their hair loss worsened after 11 months using topical finasteride with TrichoSol, despite no side effects and initial signs of improvement. They asked for advice and opinions on their treatment and alternatives, with suggestions including switching to oral finasteride or dutasteride, starting minoxidil, and addressing their seborrheic dermatitis with different shampoos or medical advice.

      community Quit vaping/smoking = 80% less loss

      in Research/Science  235 upvotes 8 months ago
      Quitting vaping significantly reduced hair loss for a user who was a heavy vaper and also taking finasteride. Some participants suggest nicotine's vasoconstrictive properties may worsen hair loss, while others share personal anecdotes of hair improvement after quitting smoking or vaping.

      community abusing caffeine boosts DHT levels!

      in Research/Science  1 upvotes 2 months ago
      Caffeine intake may increase DHT levels, but its impact on hair loss is minimal compared to genetic factors. Excessive caffeine can cause health issues, and its effects on hair loss are not directly applicable to humans based on rat studies.

      community DHT/Testosterone levels in scalp Fin VS Dut.

      in Finasteride/Dutasteride  60 upvotes 5 months ago
      Dutasteride raises scalp testosterone by 99%, which may not be ideal for those sensitive to all androgens. Some argue finasteride's balancing act might be better, while others believe dutasteride is superior for hair regrowth.

    Similar Research

    5 / 1000+ results