Can I take birth control pills while breastfeeding?

After giving birth, women generally enter the lactation period. Although lactating women will not have menstruation, they must take contraceptive measures during sexual intercourse. Even if they do not have menstruation, women's ovulation will resume and there is still a possibility of pregnancy. Contraceptive measures are still needed during lactation. There are many ways to prevent pregnancy. Can I take birth control pills during breastfeeding?

Can I take birth control pills while breastfeeding?

Oral contraceptives containing estrogen are not suitable for breastfeeding women. Because the intake of estrogen can cause gastrointestinal reactions in lactating women, affect appetite, and lead to a decrease in the content of protein, fat and trace elements in breast milk, it has a great impact on the growth and development of the baby. At the same time, when the baby ingests breast milk containing estrogen, it can cause breast development in male babies and abnormal secondary sexual characteristics such as vaginal epithelial hyperplasia and labia hypertrophy in female babies. In addition, if breastfeeding women take estrogen for 3 to 6 weeks, their milk supply will be reduced by about half, which is extremely harmful to the breastfed baby.

Breastfeeding babies should not take birth control pills

If you are breastfeeding your baby, you should not take birth control pills. Because birth control pills can have adverse effects on the baby through breast milk, and may also reduce milk secretion. Postpartum breastfeeding will inhibit ovulation and temporarily stop menstruation, which has a certain contraceptive effect. However, this contraceptive effect is not 100% effective. Some people ovulate first and become pregnant before their menstruation resumes. Therefore, contraceptive measures should be taken when resuming sexual life for the first time after childbirth or during breastfeeding. The principles for choosing a contraceptive method during lactation are that it should not affect milk secretion and should be suitable for women's postpartum physiology, such as the absence of menstruation and less vaginal secretions. Men should take more responsibility, and male contraceptive methods are recommended.

Precautions for contraception during breastfeeding

Oral contraceptives containing estrogen are not suitable for breastfeeding women. Because the intake of estrogen can cause gastrointestinal reactions in lactating women, affect appetite, and lead to a decrease in the content of protein, fat and trace elements in breast milk, it has a great impact on the growth and development of the baby.

At the same time, when the baby ingests breast milk containing estrogen, it can cause breast development in male babies and abnormal secondary sexual characteristics such as vaginal epithelial hyperplasia and labia hypertrophy in female babies. In addition, if breastfeeding women take estrogen for 3-6 weeks, their milk supply will be reduced by about half, which is extremely harmful to the breastfed baby.