POSTPARTUM BLUES - RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NOT-PROTEIN-BOUND STEROID-HORMONES IN PLASMA AND POSTPARTUM MOOD CHANGES

The relationship between non-bound steroid hormone levels in plasma an d the occurrence of postpartum mood changes was investigated in 26 new ly delivered mothers throughout the first 5 days postpartum. Studies w ith saliva samples had reported higher concentrations of 17beta-estrad iol, and progesterone on the days of symptoms in women experiencing po stpartum blues. As there had been a controversy as to how far saliva c oncentrations reflect free hormone levels in plasma, free hormone leve ls of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone were determined in plasma usin g ultra-filtration. No significant difference concerning free hormone levels could be found between women with and without postpartum blues.