Oxytocin is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland.
Function
The key functions of oxytocin include:
- Stimulating uterine contractions during labour
- Stimulating breast milk excretion
- Encouraging social bonding (e.g., between a parent and child, friends, or sexual partners)
- Facilitating sexual function
- Reducing the stress response (e.g., reducing cortisol release)
TOM TIP: There are two primary hormones involved in breastfeeding. Prolactin controls breast milk production, and oxytocin controls ejection.
Control
Factors that stimulate oxytocin release include:
- Pressure on the cervix (during labour)
- Nipple stimulation (during breastfeeding)
- Social interaction and physical contact
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Oxytocin plays a complex role in social bonding and interaction. It is released in social situations and helps to facilitate trust, empathy and attachment to others. Patients with autistic spectrum disorder display a range of impairments in social interaction, communication and behaviour. Oxytocin may play a role in autistic spectrum disorder, with evidence suggesting that children with autism have lower oxytocin levels. Research is ongoing to investigate whether giving oxytocin could help manage the symptoms.
Treatment
Oxytocin is often used as a treatment during labour and delivery. It is given intravenously (through a cannula into a vein) or intramuscularly (injected into a muscle).
It is used to stimulate uterine contractions. The indications include:
- Induction of labour (to initiate and stimulate labour)
- Caesarean section (after delivery of the baby to reduce postpartum haemorrhage)
- Active management of the third stage of labour (to encourage delivery of the placenta)
- Postpartum haemorrhage (to encourage the bleeding to stop)
Last updated August 2024
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