Men are also affected by the baby blues. Their testosterone levels can either drop or rise, with different consequences.
Postpartum depression, which occurs in mothers a few weeks after childbirth, and can last for months or even a year or two, is well described. But sometimes men are also subject to hormonal imbalances, which can affect their mood.
Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC, United States) have shown that these fluctuations can impact their mood, but also that of their partner. And, unfortunately, both are not good at the same time.
Depressed fathers
American researchers followed 149 couples after a birth, for about two years. They asked them about their mood and several indicators of depression. In parallel, thanks to salivary samples, they raised the testosterone levels of the fathers.
They observed that a drop in this rate correlated with depressive symptoms in men. “We often think of motherhood as biologically directed because mothers have special hormonal connections with their babies during pregnancy and breastfeeding,” said Darby Saxbe, psychologist at USC and lead author of the study. But we often forget to think of fatherhood in the same biological terms. “
The misfortune of some
However, it seems that these hormonal changes have a significant impact on fathers, but also on the rest of the family. When their testosterone levels are dropping, they feel depressed. But, conversely, mothers have fewer symptoms. They are also more inclined to say they are satisfied with their relationship. The misfortune of fathers makes mothers happy, obviously!
“This could be explained by the fact that men with low testosterone levels spend more time caring for their children, or that their hormonal profile is more in harmony with that of the mothers, tries to explain Darby. Saxbe. And we know that for women, social support lowers the risk of postpartum depression. “
A balance
Would the drop in testosterone levels be a natural beneficial reaction for the couple and the child? American researchers believe, anyway, that it would be risky to try to regulate them, because supplementation could increase the stress of the whole family.
They observed that, in some men, fatherhood caused a rise in the hormone. And, for the rest of the family, this hike doesn’t seem to be beneficial. They are more stressed themselves, and are more likely to act aggressively towards their partner, either emotionally, verbally or physically.
It is therefore better to maintain a low testosterone level. When it comes to parenthood, men sacrifice themselves less than women. Here is finally an opportunity to do it!
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