Anatomy-Lexicon

Oxytocin deficiency

definition

The body's own messenger substance oxytocin, often also known as the "cuddle hormone", is released during orgasm and at birth and causes the uterine muscles and vagina to contract involuntarily. The hormone got its name from this birth-facilitating function: The term oxytocin comes from the Greek and means: "easy birth".

When breastfeeding, it is responsible for the release of breast milk by contracting the muscle cells of the mammary gland. Oxytocin also promotes interpersonal and emotional bonds between mother and child or sexual partners.

A deficiency in this hormone means that there is either relatively or absolutely too little oxytocin to cause these bonding effects. The oxytocin deficiency as such is a rather unexplored area, as are the consequences of such deficiency. According to the current state of knowledge, it can be assumed that a deficiency in oxytocin can be partly responsible for various psychological or mental illnesses or at least can be associated with some.

Symptoms

Oxytocin deficiency is most seriously noticeable in women during childbirth, since a sufficient oxytocin level is essential for sufficiently good muscle tension in the uterus. An oxytocin deficiency can therefore cause so-called uterine atony, i.e. a loss of tension in the uterine muscles, at birth. This leads to serious bleeding, which can sometimes be life-threatening for the mother.

Read more on this topic at: Childbirth complications

In addition, a low oxytocin level can probably make itself felt in a person's ability to bond: In animal experiments, monogamous animals showed consistently higher oxytocin levels than animals that often change their sexual partner. It is assumed that this phenomenon can also be transferred to humans. So people who have problems with lasting bonds or even simple interpersonal relationships may have lower oxytocin levels.

In the meantime, connections between an oxytocin deficiency and mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders have even been assumed. There is also likely to be a correlation with autism. However, it has not yet been clarified whether a lack of oxytocin is actually the cause or even the effect of mental illness.

Oxitocin deficiency at birth

A low oxytocin deficiency at birth means that the muscles of the uterus do not contract sufficiently. This can lead to serious bleeding during and after the birth. To prevent this, the mother is routinely given intravenous oxytocin via an intravenous infusion in obstetrics in the hospital. More recent findings also suggest a connection between oxytocin deficiency and so-called "postpartum depression".

The administration of a nasal spray containing oxytocin as a new therapy option could significantly reduce the incidence of such depression in some studies. However, this type of therapy for postpartum depression is still very new and it will take some time before it is used on a regular basis.

Oxytocin deficiency while breastfeeding

When breastfeeding, oxytocin causes the muscle cells in the mammary gland to contract, which forces breast milk out of the gland. Oxytocin is released by the infant by sucking on the nipple. An oxytocin deficiency leads to a reduced ability of the mammary gland cells to contract and thus to a more difficult delivery of breast milk to the infant. As a consequence, the mammary gland may not empty completely and the chest may become tense and painful.

Read more about this under Painful breastfeeding.

In addition, oxytocin is released in the infant's body when breastfeeding, but a corresponding deficiency is not known at this point. This can have an impact on the bond between mother and child.

You can find more on the topic at: Breastfeeding and breastfeeding problems

causes

The causes of an oxytocin deficiency have not yet been fully clarified. It is believed that it is most likely due to insufficient production in the hypothalamus, part of the cerebrum, or inadequate release from the pituitary gland. These two theories are more likely than a defect in the oxytocin receptors.

It is believed that the deficiency is due to genetic factors. This would also explain the familial accumulation of certain mental illnesses which, according to the current state of knowledge, are associated with a low level of oxytocin in the blood.

Can Oxytocin Deficiency Be Corrected?

To remedy an oxytocin deficiency, the substance is supplied to the body from the outside. In clinical obstetrics, this is done by giving an intravenous infusion to prevent insufficient tension in the uterus. If the uterus does not contract enough during or shortly after delivery, it can cause significant bleeding. This phenomenon is still the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide.

For more information, see: Childbirth complications

Furthermore, the use of a supportive dose of oxytocin, for example in the form of nasal sprays, is discussed as a therapeutic approach for psychological and mental predispositions such as anxiety disorders, social phobia and autism.

Also read: Oxytocin nasal spray

diagnosis

To measure a person's oxytocin level, it is usually done by testing the blood plasma. Although the result only reflects a snapshot, if there are several values, a certain tendency towards a higher or lower oxytocin level can be deduced. Up to now, however, such a measurement has only been carried out in the context of corresponding studies; the oxytocin deficiency is not a diagnosis in terms of an actual disease. This is mainly due to the fact that this phenomenon with its causes and effects is still relatively new and unexplored.

Consequences of oxytocin deficiency in men

Oxytocin deficiency can also be noticeable in men: On the one hand, as in women, there may be a lack of attachment or empathy, but on the other hand problems with ejaculation are also possible. Here oxytocin promotes the expulsion of the seminal fluid, especially the components of the sperm and prostate secretion. In extreme cases, this can result in a lower sperm concentration in the ejaculate.