Abstract
Studies show the enormous influence of psychological stress on lactation. The incidence of pathologic milk stasis during the first weeks post partum as well as the incidence of puerperal mastitis seems to be increased by stress. This review quotes possible pathophysiological mechanisms that show a relationship between stress and the genesis of milk stasis and puerperal mastitis. A systematic search on studies on human as well as studies on animal was performed: First of all there was a stress induced change of the release of the hypothalamic-pituitary hormones oxytocin and prolactin with local changes in the lactating glandular tissue. Besides this, an increase in catecholamine and corticoid secretion indicates systemic and local immunosuppressive effects with the defence against pathogenetic agents for mastitis.
Keywords: Stress, breastfeeding, lactation, milk stasis, mastitis puerperalis
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
RARE CASES IN GYNECOLOGY-OBSTETRICS
With the development of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques (such as ART techniques) and the immersion of new pathologies (such as COVID19), we are witnessing an increase in the incidence of pathologies that were previously described as rare or exceptional. the practitioner sometimes confronts difficult situations in these cases in diagnostic ...read more
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