women s health issues
Fertility Awareness Based Methods of Contraception
Lactational amenorrhea method
The lactational amenorrhea method is used after delivery of a baby if a woman is feeding her baby only by breastfeeding (lactation refers to the production of breast milk). Usually, such women have no menstrual periods (called amenorrhea), do not release an egg (ovulate), and thus are not fertile. However, women become fertile 2 weeks before periods restart (when ovulation occurs) and thus do not know they are fertile during those 2 weeks. This method can be very effective if all of the following are present: The baby is under 6 months old. Breastfeeding is the only source of food for the baby. Supplementing breast milk with formula or solid food or pumping breast milk makes this method less effective. The baby is breastfed at least every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours at night. Menstrual periods have not restarted after delivery of the baby. 