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.