Lactational Amenorrhea
Table of Contents
What is Lactational Amenorrhea? - Amenorrhea Meaning
[Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)](#Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM))
[Frequently Asked Questions](#Frequently Asked Questions)
What is Lactational Amenorrhea?
Lactational Amenorrhea is a method of contraception that relies on breastfeeding as a means of preventing pregnancy. It is based on the natural suppression of ovulation that occurs when a woman is breastfeeding her baby.
Lactational Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation in lactating mothers. It is a period of temporary infertility or postpartum infertility.
During the period of exclusive breastfeeding, the likelihood of becoming pregnant is almost non-existent. This has been found to be an effective form of contraception for a period of up to six months after giving birth.
Amenorrhea is a term used to describe irregular menstrual cycles. It can be divided into two types: Primary amenorrhea, which occurs when a girl does not menstruate even after reaching the age of puberty, and Secondary amenorrhea, which is when an adult woman with a normal cycle stops getting her periods for 3-6 months or longer. Secondary amenorrhea can be due to natural changes in the body such as lactational amenorrhea and menopause, or it can be indicative of some other underlying cause.
Lactational Amenorrhea and its Causes
After parturition, breastfeeding delays the resumption of the ovarian cycle, resulting in the absence of ovulation and thus the menstrual cycle is also skipped.
Lactational amenorrhea is under neuroendocrine control.
The release of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from Hypothalamus is disrupted by lactation, which then affects the release of FSH and (LH) from the anterior pituitary.
Lactation inhibits the surge in the release of LH during the preovulatory stage, thereby preventing ovulation.
Once the lactation has been significantly reduced, the normal cycle resumes.
Lactational amenorrhea is an effective way to space out births.
Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
Although breastfeeding is not a very reliable form of birth control, it still contributes to a significant decrease in fertility.
After parturition, when the women are lactating intensely, they do not undergo the menstrual cycle so the chances of conception are almost nil.
The advantages of this method are that it is a natural approach and does not involve the use of medications or IUDs for contraception, thus eliminating any potential side effects. However, it is also associated with a high risk of failure.
The prerequisites for LAM are that the mother should be exclusively breastfeeding, amenorrheic, and the child should be under six months of age.
The return of menstruation can differ from individual to individual. For breastfeeding women, menstruation within six months after childbirth is usually anovulatory, meaning the chances of conceiving are low.
LAM should be replaced by any of the other contraceptive methods, such as IUDs or Oral pills, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes lactational amenorrhea?
Lactational amenorrhea is caused by a disruption in the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. Suckling during lactation suppresses GnRH secretion, resulting in a decrease in luteinizing hormone (LH) and estrogen levels from the pituitary. Since a surge in LH is necessary for ovulation, ovulation does not occur during breastfeeding.
What is lactational amenorrhea and how does it prevent pregnancy?
Lactational amenorrhea is an effective method to prevent pregnancy and space births. During breastfeeding, ovulation does not occur, thus making it impossible to become pregnant. This is a great form of birth control if a mother is exclusively breastfeeding during the first six months after giving birth.
How long does lactational amenorrhea last?
Lactation amenorrhea generally lasts for six months after delivery, when the mother is exclusively breastfeeding the child.
What is lactational amenorrhea?
Lactational amenorrhea refers to a lack of menstrual cycle during the period of extensive lactation. It is an effective method of birth control.
