Can pregnancy hormones cause OCD?
Pregnant women are more likely to experience OCD symptoms if they:have a history of OCD in the past
have a higher body mass index (BMI) than the average woman
have been obese throughout pregnancy
have a history of depression
have a family history of OCD
anxiety disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period are less common. However, there are several studies that have found women to be at greater risk of the symptoms of OCD if they:have a history of depression in the past 12 months
have a history of obsessive compulsive disorder in the past 12 months
attempt suicide often in the weeks and months after giving birth
act as though their symptoms are inevitable
should we be concerned?
Women are more likely to experience OCD symptoms if:they have a history of depression in the past 12 months
act as though their symptoms are inevitable
have a history of obsessive compulsive disorder in the past 12 months
attempt suicide often in the weeks and months after giving birth
act as though their symptoms are a normal and part of pregnancy
can pregnancy and the postpartum be to blame?
In women who have a mental health problem in the past 12 months, the mental health service in the UK can play a huge role in helping them to get better. Pregnant and new mothers can get help from midwives or doctors from outside the service, who can refer them to other services if they need it. They can also talk to their GP or psychiatrist.
Pregnancy and the postpartum period are usually thought to be relatively uneventful. For some women, however, things can go wrong very quickly. This is known as the ‘postpartum blues’. It is a time of high stress and low mood. For some women, their mood swings can become very intense, and can become very disruptive to the pregnancy and the birth.
The symptoms of postpartum blues can interfere with the normal process of gestational lactation. It can also be a cause for concern if you have problems with anxiety or obsessive compulsive (OC) symptoms.
Can pregnancy hormones cause OCD?
Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of high risk for OCD. Women are more likely to experience OCD if they are physically active (exercise more frequently) during the premenstrual period. Women with a history of OCD are more likely to be overweight or obese at the start of pregnancy and to smoke or take other medications during pregnancy than are women who do not have OCD. Women with a history of OCD are also more likely to be single mothers or mothers who have a history of mental illness.
Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of high risk for OCD. Women are more likely to experience OCD if they are physically active (exercise more frequently) during the premenstrual period. Women with a history of OCD are more likely to be overweight or obese at the start of pregnancy and to smoke or take other medications during pregnancy than are women who do not have OCD. Women who have a history of OCD are also more likely to be single mothers or mothers who have a history of mental illness. OCD and pregnancy are likely to be related. Women with OCD may be more anxious about harming their unborn baby than women who do not have OCD.
Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of high risk for OCD. Women are more likely to experience OCD if they are physically active (exercise more frequently) during the premenstrual period. Women with a history of OCD are also more likely to be overweight or obese at the start of pregnancy and to smoke or take other medications during pregnancy than are women who do not have OCD. Women with a history of OCD are also more likely to be single mothers or mothers who have a history of mental illness.
Pregnancy and the post partum period are times of high risk for OCD. Women are more likely to experience OCD if they are physically active (exercise more frequently) during the premenstrual period. Women with a history of OCD are also more likely to be overweight or obese at the start of pregnancy and to smoke or take other medications during pregnancy than are women who do not have OCD.
