In August 2018 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to assess whether salivary hormone levels of women consuming their own placenta differed from those of women consuming a placebo. A total of 12 individuals were given a supplement containing their dehydrated placenta while 15 individuals consuming a placebo acted as a control group. Saliva samples were collected during late pregnancy and early postpartum as well as samples of the processed placenta and of the placebo. Hormone analyses were conducted on all samples. Results showed that some hormones in the placenta supplement led to small but significant differences in the hormonal profiles of women taking the supplement when compared to those taking the placebo, but whether these changes result in beneficial postpartum effects awaits further investigation.
Young SM et al. Effects of placentophagy on maternal salivary hormones: A pilot trial, part 1. Women Birth. 2018 Aug;31(4):e245-e257