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Contraceptive effects of extended lactational amenorrhoea: beyond the Bellagio Consensus.

We have recorded the duration of lactational anovulation and amenorrhoea in a well-nourished group of Australian women who breastfed their babies throughout the study. The data enabled us to compare the theoretical cumulative probability of conception among breastfeeding women who had unprotected intercourse irrespective of their menstrual status with that of those who had unprotected intercourse only during lactational amenorrhoea. Breastfeeding alone is not an effective form of contraception, since all the women in our study resumed normal ovulation while still breastfeeding. However, among women who have unprotected intercourse only during lactational amenorrhoea but adopt other contraceptive measures when they resume menstruation, only 1.7% would have become pregnant during the first 6 months of amenorrhoea, only 7% after 12 months, and only 13% after 24 months. Thus for our women it would be possible to extend the Bellagio Consensus Conference guidelines which stated that lactational amenorrhoea can only be relied on as a contraceptive for the first 6 months post-partum in women who are fully or almost fully breastfeeding. The lactational amenorrhoea method can be relied on for excellent contraceptive protection in the first 6 months of breastfeeding, irrespective of when supplements are introduced into the baby's diet; for women who continue to breastfeed the method can also give good protection for up to 12 months post partum. Once menstruation has returned, other forms of contraception are essential to prevent pregnancy.

Amenorrhea↗

Contraceptive efficacy of lactational amenorrhoea.

Pregnancy is rare among breastfeeding women with lactational amenorrhoea. The lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM) is the informed use of breastfeeding as a contraceptive method by a woman who is still amenorrhoeic, and who is not feeding her baby with supplements, for up to 6 months after delivery. Under these three conditions, LAM users are thought to have 98% protection from pregnancy. It can be difficult, however, to determine when supplementation of the baby's diet begins. We have analysed data from nine studies of the recovery of fertility in breastfeeding women to assess the effectiveness of lactational amenorrhoea alone, irrespective of whether supplements have been introduced, as a fertility regulation method post partum. Cumulative probabilities of ovulation during lactational amenorrhoea were 30.9 and 67.3 per 100 women at 6 and 12 months, respectively, compared with 27.2 at 6 months when all three criteria of the LAM were met. Cumulative pregnancy rates during lactational amenorrhoea were 2.9 and 5.9 per 100 women at 6 and 12 months, compared with 0.7 at 6 months for the LAM. The probability of pregnancy during lactational amenorrhoea calculated from these studies is similar to that of other modern contraceptive methods, and it seems reasonable for a woman to rely on lactational amenorrhoea without regard to whether she is fully or partly breastfeeding. So that amenorrhoea and fertility suppression can be maintained, counselling about good breastfeeding and weaning practices remains important.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Natural family planning: looking ahead.

Natural family planning is used by a relatively small number of people worldwide. The Institute's goal is to increase the knowledge, availability, effectiveness, and acceptability of natural family planning. To do so, the Institute is conducting biomedical research in several areas including: (1) the development of a home test kit for ovulation prediction, (2) sperm-mucus interaction, (3) the mechanisms and fertility impact of lactational amenorrhea, and (4) outcome of pregnancies in natural family planning users.

Amenorrhea↗

Breastfeeding: a natural method for child spacing.

Lactational amenorrhea plays an important role in child spacing. Recent research has led to a consensus regarding the status of lactational amenorrhea as a method of family planning. This is currently referred to as the lactational amenorrhea method. Research priorities were to field test the lactational amenorrhea method and define the factors that influence lactational amenorrhea and the interface between the lactational amenorrhea method and other family planning methods.

Amenorrhea↗

Is the lactational amenorrhea method a part of natural family planning? Biology and policy.

The lactational amenorrhea method is a natural method of family planning for women who breastfeed their infants. The underlying physiology results in a natural suppression of ovulation, and the concomitant amenorrhea, induced by exclusive (or almost exclusive) breastfeeding. This in addition to the infant's age of 6 months or less and specific feeding pattern are the parameters used to identify the possible return of fertility. The lactational amenorrhea method provides at least 98% protection against pregnancy. Data from a recent multicenter study of breastfeeding support the use of the lactational amenorrhea method as a natural family planning method. The lactational amenorrhea method can be incorporated into natural family planning programs and teaching.

Amenorrhea↗

Ultrasonographic patterns of ovarian activity during breastfeeding.

In this study, ultrasonography was used to detect follicular activity in lactating women, and these findings were related to the underlying hormonal profiles and to the mucus symptom. A number of different patterns of follicular development were seen before the women returned to normal fertile cycles during the period that was previously considered to be characterized by ovarian quiescence. Some of the transitory patterns of follicular activity were reflected in rising hormone levels and patterns of fertile mucus that were sometimes confusing for these lactating women who were using natural family planning.

Breast Feeding↗

Efficacy of the symptothermal method of natural family planning in lactating women after the return of menses.

This study was designed to determine the efficacy of the symptothermal method of natural family planning during lactation. Although the method appears to give a reasonable reflection of fertility potential over time, it overlaps with the profound influence of lactation in both ovulation suppression and the delay of luteal phase adequacy. Further analysis is planned to attempt to identify those particular mucus signs and symptoms that are helpful during the transition from lactational amenorrhea to normal cycling.

Body Temperature↗

Using complete breastfeeding and lactational amenorrhoea as birth spacing methods.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of lactational amenorrhoea and to determine the relationship between extended breastfeeding and the return of fertility. Breastfeeding pattern, basal body temperature, cervical mucus, salivary ferning, vaginal blood discharge, frequency of sexual intercourse, and the presence of ovulation in the first cycle after the resumption of menses with ultrasonography were evaluated in 40 women. All subjects completed the study with only one case of incomplete breastfeeding. No pregnancies were observed. The mean number of feeding sessions and mean interval between sessions decreased significantly (p <0.01) during the first six months postpartum (7.5 +/- 1.3 after 60 days postpartum vs. 5.7 +/- 2.1 after 180 days, and 3.6 +/- 0.8 vs. 5.1 +/- 0.9, respectively). Eight women (20%) menstruated before weaning, but none had an adequate thermal shift, while 32 (80%) had their first vaginal bleeding after weaning with 12 (37.5%) registering an adequate thermal shift. Both basal body temperature and salivary ferning proved to be suggestive of ovarian activity, while mucus characteristics were not reliable in identifying fertile periods. Our study showed that breastfeeding associated with lactational amenorrhoea proved to be a good method of postpartum fertility control. Since the importance of supplementation is still debated, it is recommended that a "complete" breastfeeding program be used.

Adult↗

Effectiveness of the lactational amenorrhea method in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of the lactational amenorrhea method of family planning (amenorrhea during full or nearly full breastfeeding for 6 months postpartum). DESIGN: Prospective noncomparative study. SETTING: Normal breastfeeding women in Karachi and Multan, Pakistan, most delivered at home by a midwife. PATIENTS: Three hundred ninety-nine newly delivered mothers who successfully had breastfed a previous child and chose the lactational amenorrhea method to prevent a subsequent pregnancy, 391 of whom were followed for a full year. INTERVENTIONS: Mothers were taught, before or shortly after delivery, to use the method and were interviewed in their homes each month by a Lady Health Visitor. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Life-table pregnancy rates. Periods of postpartum or lactational abstinence were excluded in the calculation of the pregnancy rates. RESULTS: During full or nearly full breastfeeding, while the women were amenorrheic and not otherwise contracepting, the rate of pregnancy was 0.6%. The pregnancy rate during lactational amenorrhea alone was 1.1% at 1 year postpartum. CONCLUSION: The lactational amenorrhea method was found to be highly effective for 6 months. A high degree of contraceptive protection endures for a full year during lactational amenorrhea, but not after the return of menses during breastfeeding.

Adolescent↗

Evolution and infant feeding.

The darwinian theory of evolution has been used to justify the statement that breast-milk is ideal for infants. However, a broader interpretation of the theory suggests that the mother-child dyad is the evolutionary unit. For the survival of the species, both mother and child should benefit. Simple arithmetic shows that where there is a conflict of interests, the welfare of the mother outweighs that of the infant. The dyad hypothesis suggests that the maximum evolutionary gain is obtained when protein and energy levels in breast-milk are just high enough to prevent prohibitive infant mortality rates, but low enough to spare the mother. The anti-infective constituents of breast-milk are very small in bulk, so they place a minimum metabolic load on the mother but have a large benefit for the child. The contraceptive effect of breast feeding is pronounced only when the mother is malnourished. A separation of the nutritive from the anti-infective properties of breast-milk suggests that a rational method of infant-feeding for many mothers is to breast-feed for several months to reduce the morbidity rate in the infant, but to give supplementary milks, formulae, and foods when needed to promote the baby's nutritional status.

Biological Evolution↗

Tissue distribution and temperature-dependence of Anguilla anguilla L. EROD activity following exposure to model inducers and relationship with plasma cortisol, lactate and glucose levels.

Anguilla anguilla L. ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) elevation by 2.7 microM beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) 3 days water exposure, or 4 mg/kg ip exposure, was studied in four different organs--liver, kidney, gills, and intestine. The results demonstrated a significant increase in liver EROD activity for the two previous conditions, whereas kidney EROD activity only increased during the intraperitoneal exposure. A. anguilla was also exposed during 8, 16, and 24 h to water contaminated with 2.7 microM BNF or benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) at 20 degrees C and 25 degrees C. Both compounds significantly increased liver EROD activity from 8 up to 24 h. There was no significant difference in liver EROD activity elevation by both compounds, either at 20 degrees C or 25 degrees C. Liver EROD activity was demonstrated to be one of the first warning systems concerning the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water. A. anguilla 3 h exposure to diesel oil water-soluble fraction (DWSF) significantly increased plasma cortisol and significantly decreased plasma lactate. A prolonged exposure beyond 3 h, i.e. 4 h, 2, 3, 4, and 6 days to the previous conditions demonstrated a significant liver EROD activity elevation from Day 2 up to 6, and a significant increase in erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) at Day 6.

Animals↗

Lactation and fertility.

Breastfeeding suppresses ovarian activity resulting in amenorrhea and infertility. The frequency of breastfeeds and their duration appear to be important in maintaining amenorrhea--and night-time sucking appears to be particularly crucial. Supplementary feeding may affect fertility by altering suckling behaviour, but the evidence is confusing as to whether feeding supplements reduces the duration of amenorrhea and increases the risk of conception. Mothers who are better nourished tend to have a shorter period of amenorrhea than the malnourished, possibly because the infant has to suckle for a shorter period to obtain the nourishment needed. Lactation has an important effect on fertility at the population level. However, it cannot be considered a reliable contraceptive at an individual level.

Amenorrhea↗

Post-partum contraception.

The choice of a post-partum contraceptive method depends on many factors, including the need for a temporary versus a permanent method, the infant feeding choice and the extent to which informed consent is made prior to delivery. For maximum protection, the non-breast-feeding woman should be protected from the fourth week post-partum, even if that means using a temporary method, such as condoms or spermicides, until her method of choice is procured. Combined oestrogen/progestin methods should be avoided by all women for 2-3 weeks to avoid elevating the risk of thromboembolism. Preparations containing oestrogen should be avoided altogether during lactation because they have been associated with a reduction in milk production. POPs, implants and injectables are appropriate regardless of infant feeding choice. They can be administered immediately post-partum in bottle-feeding women, but should ideally be postponed for 6 weeks in breast-feeding women. It is best to insert IUDs within 10 minutes of delivery of the placenta, in order to minimize the risk of IUD expulsion. Insertion immediately after expulsion of the placenta requires special training, and expulsion rates are reduced with the insertion experience of the practitioner. Breast-feeding is not associated with an increase in IUD expulsion or uterine perforation, and it is associated with fewer removals for bleeding or pain. Tubal sterilization is safe, convenient and cost-effective when performed immediately after delivery, but it requires extensive counselling and fully informed consent prior to the onset of labour to avoid potential regret over post-partum tubal ligation. If the procedure is performed immediately, any effect on the establishment of lactation may be minimized. LAM is a method that can only be used by breast-feeding women. It may prove to be a useful way to time the commencement of a second, less temporary contraceptive method. Natural family planning methods require a period of abstinence for the establishment and identification of the new symptoms of fertility. When LAM is used during this interval, the need for abstinence may be reduced significantly for breast-feeding women. Breast-feeding provides health benefits for the woman and her infant, as well as the best possible nutrition for the baby. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (1990) (among others) recommends that, 'As far as is practicable, all women should be advised and encouraged to breastfeed fully'. The infant feeding decision affects the choice of a contraceptive method, and this is an important reason for the woman's physician to be interested in her infant feeding choice.

Breast Feeding↗