The hormonal changes that occur following pregnancy and birth can have a dramatic impact on the body as a whole. In the postpartum female, once the placenta is removed in the birthing process, the supply of hormones estrogen and progesterone rapidly decreases. This, in addition to the estrogen suppression while a mother is breastfeeding, can negatively affect many aspects of the muscular system in the human body.
Studies show that estrogen plays a significant role in the function of the body’s musculoskeletal system. Estrogen has been found to protect against muscle damage and prevent muscle inflammation during and following exercise. This means that when estrogen is present in abundance in the body, there may be less damage to the muscles that are targeted or used during exercise. Creatine Kinase (CK), an enzyme released into the bloodstream from damaged muscle, also interacts with estrogen. Estrogen can help to stabilize the levels of CK in the blood, which further helps in the process of preventing too much damage and assisting in the repair process.
Additionally, estrogen helps to balance cell membranes. It has been found that estrogen helps to neutralize cell membranes and maintain appropriate balance of various neurotransmitters. Keeping this balance prevents damage from occurring and prevents the subsequent inflammatory response that the body would initiate as a result of muscle damage. By controlling the body’s cell membranes, estrogen helps to prevent unnecessary inflammation in the body.
This information is vital for those who are in the postpartum population of women who hope to return to exercise, or any activities of typical daily routine. It is important to be aware that in the postpartum time frame the body may not prevent muscle damage the same way as prior to pregnancy. It is crucial to take note of any discomfort or prolonged soreness following exercise in this timeframe. Similarly, strength gains may not be seen as rapidly, resulting from the reduced estrogen support of the muscular system.
This does not mean that all women in the postpartum category must refrain from exercise, but rather that exercise should be gradually increased as time progresses. Too much too soon may escalate these findings, however a slow and steady return to activity can help the body to adjust. If any concerns arise when returning to exercise, seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist may be an intelligent first step to assess progress and achieve strength gains safely.
Sources:
- Chidi-Ogbolu, N., & Baar, K. (2019). Effect of Estrogen on Musculoskeletal Performance and Injury Risk. Frontiers in physiology, 9, 1834. https://doi-org.libproxy.temple.edu/10.3389/fphys.2018.01834
- Enns, D. L., & Tiidus, P. M. (2010). The influence of estrogen on skeletal muscle: sex matters. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 40(1), 41–58. https://doi-org.libproxy.temple.edu/10.2165/11319760-000000000-00000
- Hendrick, V., Altshuler, L. L., & Suri, R. (1998). Hormonal changes in the postpartum and implications for postpartum depression. Psychosomatics, 39(2), 93–101. https://doi-org.libproxy.temple.edu/10.1016/S0033-3182(98)71355-6
- Lowe, D. A., Baltgalvis, K. A., & Greising, S. M. (2010). Mechanisms behind estrogen’s beneficial effect on muscle strength in females. Exercise and sport sciences reviews, 38(2), 61–67. https://doi-org.libproxy.temple.edu/10.1097/JES.0b013e3181d496bc
- Trifu, S., Vladuti, A., & Popescu, A. (2019). THE NEUROENDOCRINOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION. Acta endocrinologica (Bucharest, Romania : 2005), 15(3), 410–415. https://doi-org.libproxy.temple.edu/10.4183/aeb.2019.410