What Is the Lactational Amenorrhea Method of Birth Control?

Lactational amenorrhea (LAM) is a natural method of birth control that relies on the lactational hormonal changes postpartum to prevent ovulation and pregnancy.

- Prolactin levels are high during breastfeeding and can suppress the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is necessary for ovulation. Prolactin levels increase with frequent and effective nursing.

- Estrogen and progesterone levels are also low during breastfeeding, which further contributes to the inhibition of ovulation.

LAM can be an effective method of birth control for the first six months postpartum, as long as certain criteria are met. For LAM to be effective, all of the following conditions must be met:

- The mother must be breastfeeding exclusively or nearly exclusively (no more than 1 or 2 feedings of artificial milk or solid food per day).

- The baby must be under 6 months old.

- The mother has no menstrual periods.

- The woman has not taken oral contraceptive pills or other hormonal birth control in the past 6 weeks (oral contraceptive agents cause menstrual cycles to resume in 4 to 6 weeks after cessation).

LAM is not a permanent method of birth control and fertility may return at any time after LAM is discontinued.

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