Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Postpartum Endocrine Disorders
Number of Conditions: 1
Sheehan’s Syndrome (Postpartum Hypopituitarism)
Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology
Category: Pituitary Disorders
Sub-category: Postpartum Endocrine Disorders
Symptoms:
fatigue; inability to lactate; loss of pubic and axillary hair; low blood pressure; cold intolerance; weight loss; amenorrhea; nausea
Root Cause:
Pituitary gland necrosis caused by severe blood loss or hypovolemic shock during or after childbirth.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history of postpartum hemorrhage, blood tests for hormone levels, MRI of the pituitary gland.
Treatment:
Lifelong hormone replacement therapy, including cortisol (hydrocortisone or prednisone), levothyroxine, and sex hormones as needed.
Medications:
Hydrocortisone or prednisone for adrenal insufficiency, levothyroxine for thyroid hormone replacement, and estrogen/progesterone or testosterone for sex hormone deficiency.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in about 1 in 10,000 deliveries, more common in low-resource settings with inadequate obstetric care.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Severe postpartum hemorrhage, prolonged labor, multiple pregnancies, anemia, low-resource settings.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Manageable with appropriate hormone replacement therapy, but quality of life depends on timely diagnosis and treatment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Adrenal crisis, infertility, osteoporosis, psychological effects such as depression or anxiety.