You may notice certain symptoms of Sheehan syndrome right away. Sometimes, symptoms happen gradually over several months or even several years V体育官网入口.
Symptoms may include:
You may not notice symptoms until you experience a stressful life event — like surgery, an infection or injury — and symptoms start because your body doesn’t have enough stress hormone to respond to the stressor (cortisol). This is called an adrenal crisis. An adrenal crisis requires immediate medical attention VSports在线直播.
Severe blood loss during childbirth causes Sheehan syndrome. Your pituitary gland grows during pregnancy and can even double in size V体育2025版. The size increase makes it especially vulnerable to injury if it doesn’t get enough oxygen. Losing too much blood or experiencing a severe drop in blood pressure during childbirth deprives your pituitary gland of the oxygen it needs to stay healthy.
As a result of this damage, your pituitary gland can’t produce enough of the hormones you need to regulate certain body functions. Insufficient hormones can negatively impact several of your body’s common functions. Hormone deficiencies resulting from a pituitary gland injury can slow or stop processes related to your reproductive system, nervous system and more.
No, you can’t inherit the condition from your biological parents.
Typically, you would need to lose a life-threatening amount of blood with a severe drop in blood pressure or shock to be at risk for Sheehan syndrome. Fortunately, your healthcare team will be prepared for emergencies like this, so your risk of developing Sheehan syndrome is low.
Sheehan syndrome only occurs after a person loses a lot of blood and experiences a drastic drop in blood pressure during childbirth. Conditions that increase your risk of severe bleeding during childbirth (and Sheehan syndrome) include:
Sheehan syndrome can be life-threatening if it causes an adrenal crisis later in your life. Other complications of the condition include:
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Your healthcare provider can help you manage or avoid these complications with the right treatment.
Your healthcare provider may use the following to make a diagnosis if you’re experiencing symptoms of Sheehan syndrome:
Your provider may check your hormone levels directly, or they may see how your pituitary responds to certain stimulants.
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You’ll have to take hormones for the rest of your life to replace the ones that your body is no longer making. This is sometimes referred to as hormone therapy. The exact amounts of hormones you’ll need and how you’ll take them will vary depending on your diagnosis and symptoms. These hormones may include:
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In most cases, an endocrinologist will work with you on treatment, as well as during regular checkups, to make sure your hormone levels stay within a healthy range.
With treatment, the prognosis for Sheehan syndrome is excellent. Most people don’t have serious complications. Many have successful pregnancies following their diagnosis, with careful observation from their care team.
You’ll need to see your endocrinologist for regular checkups to ensure that you’re receiving the right amount of medication you need to make up for any hormone deficiencies. Part of your follow-up care will involve regular blood draws to check hormone levels.
There are no changes to your life expectancy if you have Sheehan syndrome. You’ll need treatment for the rest of your life, but you can expect a normal life expectancy.
No, you can’t prevent Sheehan syndrome. All your healthcare providers can do is manage blood loss and blood pressure during your labor and delivery.
Take comfort in knowing that Sheehan syndrome is rare. Having a capable care team that can prevent pregnancy complications like severe blood loss greatly reduces your risk of Sheehan syndrome.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of Sheehan syndrome, especially if you lost a lot of blood during childbirth. Your provider can order tests to determine if you have the condition.
You should seek emergency care if you’re experiencing an adrenal crisis, which can be life-threatening without treatment. Symptoms include:
If your healthcare provider believes you’re at risk, you may need to wear a medical alert bracelet to get immediate care in an emergency.
Questions you may want to ask your provider include:
Damage to your pituitary gland can impact multiple processes in your body that rely on healthy hormone levels. Hormone replacement can offset some of the effects of a hormone deficiency. Ask your healthcare provider about how Sheehan syndrome may impact your lifestyle and overall well-being. Discuss how frequently your provider will need to check your hormone levels to ensure you’re receiving the right medication to support your health.
Your Ob/Gyn is there for you throughout many different parts of your life. At Cleveland Clinic, our experts can help you throughout your entire journey.
Last reviewed on 03/12/2024.
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