THE MOST COMMON ENDOCRINE DISORDERS IN PUERPERIUM

: Postpartum, a period lasting 6 weeks after childbirth, is a time when many anatomical, physiological, and functional changes occur in a woman's body. These include the involution of the uterus, the healing of wounds, and the initiation and maintenance of lactation. This period is particularly important from a clinical perspective, as studies show that up to 60% of maternal deaths occur then. Changes in the endocrine system also contribute to this. Hormones that play a key role in puerperium include estradiol, progesterone, oxytocin, prolactin, or beta-endorphins. Postpartum-secreted endorphins, along with oxytocin, cause euphoria, a sensation of pleasant contact with the newborn, and play a role in strengthening the mother-child relationship. On the other hand, a de-creased level of progesterone after childbirth is a signal for the onset of lactation. Changes in the endocrine system can lead to several disorders, the most common of which are lactation problems, postpartum thyroiditis, or Sheehan's syndrome-postpartum pituitary necrosis. The other common group of postpartum disturbances is psychiatric disorders. The spectrum of disorders varies from a mild form of baby blues to postpartum depression and severe psychosis. Although endocrine dis-orders in the postpartum period are not among the most common complications, they are worth keeping in mind during follow-up visits and treatment in postpartum. The following article collects previous reports on endocrine disorders occurring in the puerperium, their treatment, and monitoring of patients during this period.