Which hormone is responsible for breast milk ejection and uterine contractions?

Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for breast milk ejection and uterine contractions. During childbirth, oxytocin is released to stimulate uterine contractions, which help facilitate the delivery of the baby. After delivery, oxytocin plays a crucial role in lactation by promoting the milk ejection reflex, often referred to as the “let-down” reflex, allowing breast milk to be released from the milk ducts when the infant suckles.

This dual role of oxytocin in both childbirth and breastfeeding underscores its importance in reproductive physiology, making it essential for successful motherhood. In contrast, prolactin is primarily involved in the production of milk rather than its ejection, while TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) and ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone) serve different functions in the body, such as regulating thyroid activity and water balance, respectively.