Lactational amenorrhea
Lactational amenorrhea (pronounced: lak-tay-shuh-nuhl uh-men-uh-ree-uh) is a natural form of contraception that occurs when a woman is breastfeeding. The term is derived from the Latin words 'lac' meaning 'milk' and 'amenorrhea' meaning 'absence of menstruation'.
Definition
Lactational amenorrhea refers to the temporary postnatal infertility that occurs when a woman is breastfeeding. During this period, the woman does not experience menstruation due to the high levels of prolactin, a hormone that suppresses ovulation.
Mechanism
The mechanism behind lactational amenorrhea is the suppression of the hormones responsible for ovulation. When a woman breastfeeds, her body produces high levels of prolactin. This hormone not only stimulates milk production but also suppresses the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a hormone that triggers ovulation. As a result, the woman's ovaries do not release an egg, preventing pregnancy.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of lactational amenorrhea as a method of contraception depends on several factors, including the frequency and duration of breastfeeding sessions, the age of the infant, and the return of menstrual periods. It is most effective in the first six months after childbirth, provided the mother is exclusively breastfeeding and has not yet had a menstrual period.
Related Terms
- Breastfeeding: The process of feeding a baby with milk directly from the mother's breasts.
- Contraception: Methods used to prevent pregnancy.
- Ovulation: The release of an egg from one of the woman's ovaries.
- Prolactin: A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates milk production and suppresses ovulation.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): A hormone that triggers ovulation.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lactational amenorrhea
- Wikipedia's article - Lactational amenorrhea
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