MSH, or Melanocyte Stimulating Hormones are a collection of peptide hormones that are produced in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland. During pregnancy, the production of melanocyte increases with the increase of melanocyte stimulating hormones, which lead to abnormal darkening in some parts of the body. The role of MSH in pregnancy are described in details in the following lines of this article.
Sometimes, the skin pigmentation is permanent due to an increase of melanin production, but, most of the times, it is prevalent for a short term during pregnancy or after childbirth, and it gets eradicated normally. The most common pigmentation during pregnancy is hyperpigmentation, in which the color of the skin darkens, This is often a combined effect of progesterone, estrogen and melanocyte stimulating hormones. The areas which have normal tendency to darken, becomes even more dark, as for example, the inner thighs, nipples, areolae, genital skin and armpits. Often pregnant women experience a dark line on abdomen, known as linea nigra. Most of the women fear of melasma or the darkening of facial skin.
Role of MSH is also associated with acne, which is a combined effect of melanocyte stimulating hormones and sweat glands. The function of the sweat gland increases and the function of the sebaceous gland decreases thus leading to hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating and milaria or heat rash. Montgomery glands also increase thus causing small brown lumps on the areolae, which are highly noticeable.
One of the most common combined effects of MSH, progesterone, estrogen is melasma. Often, a brownish pigment is noticeable on malar eminences and on the forehead. So, prime role of MSH in pregnant women is often associated with health problem, which often leads to temporary depression, as the would be mother becomes worried about her appearance. Often, with childbirth, these brown spots dissapear, but not in all cases.
With advancement of science, several treatments are available to control this. Often doctors advise to apply certain ointments, and in most of the cases, these medicines can eradicate the problem.
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Even if it persists, in most cases, melasma regresses within a span of one year, after childbirth.
So, do not worry much about the MSH during pregnancy and melasma. Consult your doctor, take proper medications as adviced by the doctor.
In order to know more about melanocyte, continue browsing the pages of the site pregnancyxl.com.
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