Oxytocin Side Effects

Oxytocin is a nine-amino acid peptide synthesized in the posterior pituitary gland under the control of the hypothalamus. It is responsible for many metabolic processes in the body. Its primary function is reflected in the hormonal regulation of the male and female reproductive systems. It can accelerate uterine contractions during labor and thus expedite the birth process. The hormone can significantly facilitate the breastfeeding period, making this process more effective and psychologically significant for the bonding of mother and child. It is believed that Oxytocin can affect a patient's behavior, deepening the feelings of trust, romance, and even love. Thanks to these effects, interpersonal and love relationships can be significantly improved. This amino acid sequence can modulate the stress response, which can potentially be used in treating anxiety, postpartum depression, and phobias. Various studies indicate that this peptide has additional beneficial effects, including preventing the spread of ischemic reperfusion injury to skeletal muscles and regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

About Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a hormone of the posterior pituitary gland, synthesized under the control of the hypothalamus. It is responsible for carrying out various processes in the bodies of all mammals. It is secreted daily in different concentrations, depending on the time of day and the patient's condition.

The primary application of this peptide is mainly reduced to the process of childbirth when a woman has difficulty in naturally applying sufficient pressure to the cervix and expelling the fetus. In such complicated cases, when it is necessary to finish the labor as soon as possible due to the danger to the mother or child, Oxytocin is administered externally to reverse its already existing effect on the woman's body. This hormone is synthesized in response to a stimulus and causes strong contractions, initiating labor. By secreting prostaglandins, the effect is enhanced, and the natural birth ends faster and more effectively.

Additionally, it can physically facilitate the breastfeeding process by being secreted at the very beginning, thereby affecting the contraction of the muscles around the nipple, which in turn increases milk secretion. The peptide can also help connect the mother with the child through its emotional component, evoking feelings of calm, trust, and connection.

The results of various clinical studies have confirmed the assumption that Oxytocin can induce a sense of calm, connection, and even romance and love. This property can significantly enhance interpersonal and romantic relationships in everyday life, but it can also be utilized for therapeutic purposes. The feeling of fulfillment that the hormone causes can be significant in treating postpartum depression, social phobias, and even autism spectrum disorders. In practical terms, it has been shown to improve communication, foster better relationships with others, enhance attention, and promote more socially acceptable behavior. Hormone levels increase during sexual intercourse, physical contact, a child's smile, or exchanging affection with loved ones. Therefore, depressed patients are advised to socialize, among other things, to overcome the illness and alleviate symptoms.

Scientists hypothesize that Oxytocin can have an immunomodulatory effect on the central nervous system, thus changing the response to stressful stimuli. This property can be crucial in treating anxious and frightened patients who have a hard time coping with stress and are often agitated. Stress occurs as a result of the effects of adrenaline, which speeds up the heart rate, raises blood pressure, and activates the fight-or-flight system. The secretion of Oxytocin from the posterior pituitary gland helps return adrenaline concentrations to homeostasis, thereby creating a feeling of calm and aid in stress management.

Mechanism of Action

The mechanism of action always differs from the indication but is always precisely defined. If it is used for quick and easy labor, its mode of action is mainly physical and chemical in nature. A few hours before childbirth, a woman begins to feel severe pain in the abdominal area because then the fetus begins to press its head on the cervix. It comes to its increased volume and opening. When the body registers pressure on the cervix, information about the necessary Oxytocin is automatically sent to the central nervous system.

The hormone is secreted under the control of the hypothalamus from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland and acts by causing subsequent contractions of the uterus, thereby increasing contractions and aiding the entire process. This peptide also helps in the secretion of prostaglandins, which act cumulatively with it. Additionally to the expulsion of the placenta itself, it can also help in the third stage of labor, which is related to the expulsion of the placenta, preventing excessive bleeding after childbirth.

The peptide is secreted in increased amounts during breastfeeding when the child presses his lips to the nipple. An impulse is sent via sensory pathways to the hypothalamus, which controls the secretion of the hormone. In this way, it establishes contacts between the small muscles around the nipple, which release milk. The secretion of the hormone works according to the principle of positive feedback, which means that larger amounts induce its further secretion. This cycle continues until an action such as childbirth or breastfeeding is completed. Oxytocin also plays a crucial role in the emotional bonding between mother and child. It is secreted when the child touches or smiles, creating a feeling of connection, love, and security.

Scientific studies often suggest that elevated levels of Oxytocin can influence feelings of closeness, loyalty, love, and security. After external administration of the hormone or by stimulating its natural secretion, subjects have mostly reported feelings of calmness and romance, as well as a greater desire to socialize with other people. This effect is based on the hormone's ability to act on the limbic system (a part of the central nervous system responsible for perceiving emotions). In this way, it modulates our perception of emotions and, therefore, reaction to an event. This property is clinically most significant in treating patients diagnosed with social phobia, anxiety, or postpartum depression.

In physical and psychological stressful situations, the body is exposed to the fight-or-flight system, in which the sympathetic nervous system acts and secretes large amounts of adrenaline. The heart rate is accelerated, blood pressure increases, and breathing becomes shallow. As a result, the patient feels panic, which is perceived as stress, causing significant damage to mental and physical health in the long term. In such situations, Oxytocin has the opposite effect, calming the heart rate and other parameters, creating a sense of security. This property is based on its influence on the sympathetic nervous system (the part of the central nervous system responsible for the perception of stress). Thus, our stress response is modified, resulting in less damage to our health.

Structure

The chemical structure of this compound consists of

• forty-three carbon atoms,
• seventy-six hydrogen atoms,
• twelve carbon atoms,
• twelve oxygen atoms,
• two sulfur atoms.

Side Effects

Vaginal Bleeding

Even if it helps during the third stage of labor, when the placenta is expelled, preventing complications in the form of bleeding, taking oxytocin can cause vaginal bleeding in another way. When large amounts of hormones that increase contact are secreted during labor, the uterus can become hyperstimulated. As a result, a defensive reaction occurs in the form of vasodilation of blood vessels, which leads to increased vaginal bleeding. In this case, it is imperative to consult a doctor, who will perform an examination and include additional therapy. This side effect is, however, quite rare and usually occurs as a result of the externally applied hormone.

Heart Rhythm Disorder

It most often acts differently from adrenaline, calming the heart rate and returning blood pressure to homeostasis, this effect can sometimes be exaggerated. In such cases, an extreme drop in heart rate (bradycardia) occurs, which can cause additional heart rhythm disturbances as a compensatory effect. This side effect occurs quite rarely, most often when the patient has previously suffered from cardiovascular diseases such as arrhythmia, bradycardia, or various forms of hypotension. Therefore, it is crucial to limit external use to indications, as using it alone can lead to serious side effects similar to those observed in this case.

Other Side Effects

Administration of this peptide may result in various other less serious side effects such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, weakness, or weight gain. Moderate to severe side effects may include dizziness, pelvic pain, skin reactions, difficulty swallowing, or chest heaviness. Severe side effects include thrombosis, respiratory problems, neonatal seizures, prenatal hepatic necrosis, hypoxia, or neonatal death.

Safety

According to various scientific studies, Oxytocin is a safe compound when used according to indications and under the supervision of a doctor. The optimal dose should not be changed independently, and the upper limit should never be exceeded. Regardless of achievements to date, Oxytocin will remain the subject of future research.