Dysphoric milk ejection reflex is a condition that causes an abrupt emotional downturn during the initial moments of milk ejection in a breastfeeding mother. Depression, anxiety, hopelessness, anger, irritability, homesickness, and stomach hollowness are all possible symptoms. The exact cause of D-MER remains unknown. However, it is proposed that it is caused by an alteration in oxytocin signaling response where secretion of oxytocin upregulates the stress response instead of its downregulation. Activation of the defensive response of the mother by oxytocin during breastfeeding, disruption in dopamine levels, and activation of vasopressin-regulated pathways are other probable causes. Due to a lack of awareness, this phenomenon is easily misdiagnosed as postpartum depression and aversion by many healthcare professionals. Its prevalence in various populations of the world remains unknown due to the lack of research studies conducted in these populations. While no medically approved therapeutic strategy is available, supportive techniques such as maintaining a healthy diet, mental distraction, relaxation methods, and increasing skin-to-skin contact can help alleviate dysphoria during breastfeeding. However, due to a lack of D-MER research, specific challenges exist regarding early withdrawal from breastfeeding and women’s help-seeking attitude toward perinatal mental health.

烦躁的喷乳反射是一种导致母乳喂养的母亲在喷乳初期情绪突然低落的病症。抑郁、焦虑、绝望、愤怒、烦躁、想家和胃空虚都是可能的症状。 D-MER 的确切原因仍不清楚。然而，有人认为这是由催产素信号反应的改变引起的，其中催产素的分泌上调而不是下调应激反应。其他可能的原因包括母乳喂养期间催产素激活母亲的防御反应、多巴胺水平的破坏以及加压素调节途径的激活。由于缺乏认识，这种现象很容易被许多医护人员误诊为产后抑郁症和产后厌恶症。由于缺乏在这些人群中进行的研究，其在世界不同人群中的患病率仍然未知。虽然没有经过医学批准的治疗策略，但保持健康饮食、分散注意力、放松方法和增加皮肤接触等支持性技术可以帮助缓解母乳喂养期间的烦躁情绪。然而，由于缺乏 D-MER 研究，在早期退出母乳喂养和妇女对围产期心理健康的求助态度方面存在具体挑战。