Is your postpartum experience feeling like one wild hormonal circus? Wondering when you'll stop feeling like a sci-fi character and get back to good ol' you? Hang in there, friend. This tumultuous period is par for the course. Just had a baby? Bam - your estrogen and progesterone levels plunge. Around 48 hours post-birth, hCG, estrogen, and progesterone are on a downhill ride. By three weeks, hCG, oxytocin, and prolactin have gone back to being pre-pregnancy regulars. Breastfeeding mums, you might have prolactin lingering for a while– it's just a breastfeeding mom thing. And cortisol? It hangs around longer if stress is playing a starring role in your life.

You might start feeling a little more like the pre-pregnancy you somewhere between month three and six, once estrogen and progesterone find their balance. But hey, they might take up to a year, especially if breastfeeding is on your daily menu.

Did you know your thyroid also joins the post-birth hormone fiesta? Interestingly enough, about 10% of new parents experience thyroiditis- an enlarged thyroid. In some cases, hypothyroidism (lazy thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overenthusiastic thyroid) can be an unwanted guest. Your provider could suggest analyzing your troll thyroid with TSH and thyroid antibody blood tests to sniff out any hormonal mischief.

Now, onto practical solutions because you've got this. Stress reduction? Pretty please, with kale on top, incorporate breathing exercises. Complementary therapies like acupuncture and aromatherapy with villain-fighting lavender oil can also be tried. And hey, even though your libido might have gone on a temporary vacation, mix things up with different forms of intimacy and remember to chat openly with your healthcare provider and partner about it.

But we can't sugar-coat this hormone dance entirely. Sure, between 50% to 80% new parents may have a touch of baby blues, but sometimes, those symptoms get stuck on repeat when postpartum depression hits about one in four people. Repeat after me: It's not your fault, and there's help available. In the rare case of postpartum psychosis - timely professional intervention is crucial.

Still riding the menopause wave? Postpartum hormone shifts might feel like a tag team with your perimenopause symptoms and might take a bit longer to get back in their lane.

So while the postpartum hormonal express sprints through your body, remember to prioritize your wellbeing. Seek help and keep self-care on your to-do list. Your hormones will eventually find their harmony. So buckle up and flip the bird to postpartum hormone disruptions. Because you, my friend, are a rock star.