Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Sheehan’s syndrome is a rare condition that develops in some women due to significant blood loss, most often in those who bleed excessively during childbirth.The extreme loss of blood affects and decreases the function of thepituitary gland. This leads to symptoms of hypopituitarism, where the pituitary gland doesn’t make enough hormones.
The pituitary gland is responsible for the production of certain hormones that affect organs like the thyroid,kidneys, and sexual reproductive organs like theuterus. When the pituitary gland is damaged and these hormones aren’t produced in enough quantity, the function of these other affected organs also declines. This can affect milk production, reproduction, and the regulation of metabolism.
This article discusses what causes Sheehan’s syndrome and the symptoms you may experience. It also covers how Sheehan’s syndrome is diagnosed and treated.
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
What Are the Symptoms of Sheehan’s Syndrome?
The symptoms of Sheehan’s syndrome vary from person to person and depend on the extent to which the pituitary gland is failing to produce its hormones. Also, its symptoms usually manifest gradually and over a period of time. In rarer and much more serious cases, referred to as acute Sheehan’s syndrome, the symptoms appear right after childbirth:
Sheehan’s syndrome is also known as postpartum hypopituitarism, postpartumpanhypopituitarysyndrome, postpartum pituitary necrosis, and postpartum panhypopituitarism.
Causes of Sheehan’s Syndrome
When a woman bleeds excessively during childbirth, there is a consequent drop in her blood pressure and in the supply of blood (which carries oxygen) to organs like the pituitary gland. This damages the pituitary gland and it’s not able to function properly and produce enough hormones anymore.
There are two lobes in the pituitary gland: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe.
In the medical community, it is suggested that there has to be at least 75% to 90% damage done to the anterior pituitary lobe before Sheehan’s syndrome develops.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for developing Sheehan’s syndrome are basically things that can increase your risk of hemorrhaging (bleeding severely and excessively) during childbirth. These include:
Diagnosing Sheehan’s Syndrome
A diagnosis of Sheehan’s syndrome is usually made when a woman has symptoms of hypopituitarism as well as a medical history of excessive bleeding during childbirth. The healthcare provider may also order blood tests to measure the levels of the pituitary gland hormones to confirm the diagnosis.
Additionally, an MRI or CT scan may be ordered to obtain images of the pituitary gland and rule out the possibility of other pituitary problems like a tumor, as pituitary tumors are the primary cause of hypopituitarism and its attendant symptoms.
In situations where Sheehan’s syndrome is acute and the symptoms start to show immediately, a diagnosis will be made before the woman leaves the hospital and treatment will be started right away.
Sheehan’s Syndrome Treatment
Sheehan’s syndrome is treated the same way regular hypopituitarism is treated—with hormone replacement therapy. The healthcare provider will evaluate the hormone levels in the patient and determine which ones need hormone replacement therapy, as this varies from individual to individual.
Most hormone replacement therapies are successful in treating Sheehan’s syndrome, especially if the diagnosis is made early.
If you suspect you have Sheehan’s syndrome, you should see your healthcare provider immediately. If left untreated, this condition can be very dangerous or even life-threatening.
If you have Sheehan’s syndrome and you wish to have children in future, it is important that you discuss your fertility options extensively with your healthcare provider, and if you can afford it, you should see a reproductive endocrinologist—a healthcare provider that specializes in fertility.
Summary
Sheehan’s syndrome is a rare condition where the pituitary gland is damaged after excessive bleeding in childbirth. When the pituitary gland is damaged, it reduces the production of hormones, which can affect the thyroid, kidneys, and reproductive organs. Symptoms may include fatigue, inability to lactate, low blood pressure, and irregular or absent menstruation.
Sheehan’s syndrome is usually diagnosed after childbirth based on symptoms and medical testing, including blood tests, MRI, and CT scan. It’s treated with hormone replacement therapy.
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4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Sheehan syndrome.Tampa General Hospital.Sheehan’s syndrome.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Sheehan Syndrome.Mount Sinai.Sheehan syndrome.Additional ReadingHypopituitarism. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov.Syndrome S. Sheehan syndrome. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov.Sheehan syndrome. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program. Rarediseases.info.nih.gov.Sheehan Syndrome - NORD(National Organization for Rare Disorders).
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Sheehan syndrome.Tampa General Hospital.Sheehan’s syndrome.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Sheehan Syndrome.Mount Sinai.Sheehan syndrome.Additional ReadingHypopituitarism. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov.Syndrome S. Sheehan syndrome. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov.Sheehan syndrome. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program. Rarediseases.info.nih.gov.Sheehan Syndrome - NORD(National Organization for Rare Disorders).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Sheehan syndrome.Tampa General Hospital.Sheehan’s syndrome.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Sheehan Syndrome.Mount Sinai.Sheehan syndrome.
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Sheehan syndrome.
Tampa General Hospital.Sheehan’s syndrome.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Sheehan Syndrome.
Mount Sinai.Sheehan syndrome.
Hypopituitarism. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov.Syndrome S. Sheehan syndrome. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov.Sheehan syndrome. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program. Rarediseases.info.nih.gov.Sheehan Syndrome - NORD(National Organization for Rare Disorders).
Hypopituitarism. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov.
Syndrome S. Sheehan syndrome. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov.
Sheehan syndrome. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program. Rarediseases.info.nih.gov.
Sheehan Syndrome - NORD(National Organization for Rare Disorders).
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