Sheehan's syndrome (patient information)

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Sheehan's syndrome
Overview
What are the symptoms?
What are the causes?
Diagnosis
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Sheehan's syndrome?
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications
Prevention
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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.

Synonyms and Keywords: Postpartum hypopituitarism; Postpartum pituitary insufficiency; Hypopituitarism Syndrome

Overview

Sheehan syndrome is a condition that may occur in a woman who bleeds severely during childbirth.

What are the symptoms of Sheehan's syndrome?

• Symptoms of Sheehan syndrome may include:

• Inability to breast-feed (breast milk never "comes in")
• Fatigue
• Lack of menstrual bleeding
• Loss of pubic and axillary hair
• Low blood pressure

• Note: Symptoms other than inability to breast feed may not develop for several years after the delivery.

What causes Sheehan's syndrome?

• Severe bleeding during childbirth can cause tissue death in the pituitary gland, which may cause the gland to lose its ability to function properly.

• The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. It normally produces hormones that stimulate breast milk production, growth, reproductive functions, the thyroid, and the adrenal glands. A lack of these hormones can lead to a variety of symptoms.

• Conditions that increase the risk of bleeding during childbirth and Sheehan syndrome include multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets) and problems with the placenta, the organ that develops during pregnancy to feed the fetus.

• Sheehan syndrome is very rare.

Diagnosis

• Blood tests to measure hormone levels
• MRI of the head to rule out other pituitary problems, such as a tumor

Treatment options

• Treatment involves estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement therapy, which must be taken for the rest of your life.

• Thyroid and adrenal hormones also must be taken.

Where to find medical care for Sheehan's syndrome?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Sheehan's syndrome

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The outlook with early diagnosis and treatment is excellent.

Possible complications

This condition can be life threatening if not treated.

Prevention

Extreme bleeding during childbirth can often be prevented by proper medical care. Otherwise, Sheehan syndrome is not preventable.

Source

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001175.htm