Why does the body need oxytocin?
At the beginning, even before the numerous clinical trials, oxytocin was considered a hormone exclusively for pregnant women. That's why he got this name, because in translation from the Greek language, oxytocin means "quick birth".
So, during the research the British neuroscientist found that oxytocin helps a woman at birth. It causes contractile movements of the muscles of the uterine myometrium. Moreover, he takes an active part in the birth of life.
Even during fertilization, immediately at the moment of orgasm, the woman in the blood raises the level of this hormone, which in turn helps the spermatozoa successfully reach the oocyte.
In addition, this hormone affects the body of a woman and after the birth of the baby. So oxytocin after giving birth promotes the formation of a female instinct, takes a direct part in the process of lactation.
When is the artificial analog of this hormone usually used?
An increase in the level of oxytocin in the blood of a pregnant woman serves for the body as a signal for the onset of delivery. That is why, with prolonged labor, stimulate the process of delivery with oxytocin. In this case, the drug is usually administered intravenously, which allows you to quickly achieve the desired effect. Already literally a few minutes after the administration, the frequency of contraction of muscle fibers of the myometrium increases, which increases the intensity and frequency of contractions.
Also, this hormone can be used for the early removal of the placenta, which in certain cases can be difficult.
What to do when the body has a low level of oxytocin?
Before increasing the level of the hormone oxytocin in a woman's blood, she needs to pass an appropriate analysis. If it is really lowered, then treatment with hormonal drugs is prescribed.
When it comes to pregnant women with low levels of oxytocin in the blood, then for an early delivery, the hormone is administered intravenously. In this case, the dosage is calculated only by the doctor based on the status of the woman at the moment.
To avoid this situation, many gynecologists recommend taking care of raising the level of this hormone in the blood in advance. So thanks to the fact that the hormone oxytocin is contained in some foods, a woman can independently try to increase its concentration in the body. First of all, these are products that include selenium: zucchini, squash, asparagus, celery, etc. In addition, it is scientifically proven that the synthesis of oxytocin increases with embraces, kisses. Therefore, every man, while his wife is pregnant, must tenderly, with emotion and trembling, treat her with words of love.
What is the role of oxytocin in the body of a woman?
Initially, the feminine hubbub of oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus, but is then transported to the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, where after accumulation is released into the bloodstream.
Functions of the hormone oxytocin in the female body are as follows:
- stimulation of uterine myometrium by increasing its contractile activity;
- contributes to uterine contractions in the 2nd and 3rd stages of the birth process;
- increased prolactin production by the pituitary gland;
- increase clotting of blood, which helps stop uterine bleeding after childbirth;
- causes the reduction of cells located directly in the alveolar zone of the mammary glands, which leads to the excretion of breast milk and increased lactation .