Which hormone is particularly sensitive to changes during the perinatal period and is associated with PMADs?

Estrogen is particularly sensitive to changes during the perinatal period and plays a significant role in perinatal mental health. Throughout pregnancy and postpartum, estrogen levels fluctuate dramatically, influencing mood and emotional regulation. This hormone can affect neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which are linked to mood stability.

The perinatal period is critical because the rapid changes in estrogen levels can contribute to the onset of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), like postpartum depression and anxiety. Estrogen's involvement in brain functions related to emotion and cognition makes it an essential factor in understanding the mental health challenges that can arise before and after childbirth.

The other hormones listed do not have the same direct correlation to PMADs in the context of their sensitivity to changes during the perinatal period. Testosterone does not exhibit the same fluctuating pattern during pregnancy, cortisol, although influential in stress response, does not singularly correlate with mood disorders in the same specific way as estrogen, and insulin primarily regulates glucose metabolism rather than directly impacting mood. Thus, estrogen's specific connection to mood regulation during the perinatal period makes it the most relevant hormone concerning PMADs.