What is Sheehans Syndrome?
Sheehan’s Syndrome is hypopituitarism due to pituitary infarction that occurs at the time of obstetrical hemorrhage and consequent low blood pressure. During a pregnancy, the pituitary doubles in size. This doubling is due to an increase in a number of prolactin-producing cells. The pituitary is much more metabolically active and demands more blood supply. Any insult that threatens the blood pressure, such as bleeding during childbirth, can result in decreased pituitary function. Hemorrhage in the pituitary can also occur. Many patients are unable to breastfeed their children in the postpartum because prolactin levels fall. Other Sheehan’s Syndrome patients fail to regain their periods after childbirth. Some patients develop symptoms and signs of pituitary dysfunction immediately while others do not come to medical attention for years because their pituitary function is partially preserved.
