Biological changes in men during the transition to fatherhood

During pregnancy and childbirth, women experience hormonal changes, such as surges in oxytocin and drops in estrogen and progesterone. These changes contribute to postnatal depression in women. However, research now suggests that men also experience biological changes, such as decreases in testosterone and increases in oxytocin, when they become fathers. These hormonal changes help men become more empathetic and attentive caregivers. Alongside the challenges of becoming a new parent, these biological changes can also lead to postnatal depression in fathers. This challenges the perception that postnatal depression is exclusively a woman's experience.