How does breastfeeding suppress ovulation?

Understanding How Breastfeeding Suppresses Ovulation
Breastfeeding is not only a vital source of nutrition for infants but also plays a significant role in a mother’s reproductive health. One of the most intriguing aspects of breastfeeding is its ability to suppress ovulation, thereby extending the period of infertility following childbirth. This phenomenon is primarily governed by hormonal changes that occur in a breastfeeding mother’s body.
The Role of Hormones
The key hormones involved in this process are prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin, often referred to as the milk-making hormone, is produced in higher quantities during breastfeeding. Its primary function is to stimulate milk production, but it also has a crucial role in inhibiting ovulation. When a mother breastfeeds, especially in an exclusive manner—nursing at least every four hours during the day and every six hours at night—prolactin levels remain elevated, which effectively suppresses the hormones necessary for ovulation.
Oxytocin, another hormone released during breastfeeding, facilitates the milk let-down reflex and also contributes to the suppression of ovulation. The act of breastfeeding stimulates nerve endings in the nipples, sending signals to the brain that further enhance the release of these hormones. This hormonal interplay creates a natural barrier to fertility, allowing mothers to space out pregnancies more effectively.
The Mechanism of Amenorrhea
The phenomenon of lactational amenorrhea—the absence of menstruation during breastfeeding—is a direct result of these hormonal changes. Women who breastfeed tend to experience a longer duration of amenorrhea compared to those who do not. The length of this period can vary significantly based on factors such as maternal age, the frequency of breastfeeding, and the introduction of supplementary foods to the infant’s diet.
In traditional societies where breastfeeding is practiced on demand, mothers often experience extended periods of infertility. This is because the continuous stimulation of the nipples keeps prolactin levels high, effectively preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs. As the baby begins to consume solid foods and breastfeeding becomes less frequent, prolactin levels drop, and the likelihood of ovulation increases.
Effectiveness as Birth Control
While breastfeeding can serve as a natural form of birth control, it is most effective under specific conditions. For it to reliably suppress ovulation, mothers must adhere to exclusive breastfeeding practices. If these conditions are not met—such as when the baby starts eating solid foods or if breastfeeding becomes less frequent—the protective effect against ovulation diminishes.
In summary, breastfeeding acts as a natural contraceptive by maintaining elevated levels of prolactin and oxytocin, which inhibit the hormonal signals necessary for ovulation. This biological mechanism not only supports infant nutrition but also provides mothers with a natural means of spacing pregnancies during the early months of their child’s life.

Why does breastfeeding cause late ovulation?

Breastfeeding: The hormone prolactin involved in breastfeeding suppresses the menstrual cycle and, thus, ovulation. However, this doesn’t mean ovulation can’t occur during this time, but it is less likely to happen.

Are you not fertile while breastfeeding?

“You can’t get pregnant if you’re breastfeeding.” Maybe you’ve heard this myth before…and we should warn you, it’s just that—a myth! The truth is you can get pregnant while you’re breastfeeding, even if your menstrual cycle hasn’t returned to normal. Here’s what you need to know.

Does breastfeeding suppress LH?

During lactation the secretion of both GnRH and LH is suppressed, resulting in absent ovarian cycles (Smith, 1978a). However, the precise underlying mechanism controlling this type of infertility – known as lactational amenorrhea – is still not fully understood.

How long does ovulation last while breastfeeding?

Again, if you are breastfeeding exclusively, then LAM will halt your ovulation during the first six months of postpartum, giving you ‘protection’ against pregnancy at this time. However, this method of birth control is not effective if you are using a breast pump instead of exclusively breastfeeding.

How does breastfeeding stop ovulation?

Prolactin (the milk-making hormone) levels are usually higher at night. Prolactin can suppress (stop) ovulation.

How to know if ovulation is over?

Some of the signs ovulation is over may be:

• Cervical mucus becomes thick and creamy again.
• Breasts no longer feel tender.
• Sex drive is lower.

Why am I not ovulating while breastfeeding?

Here’s why it happens: When you’re breastfeeding, your body produces a hormone called prolactin. High levels of prolactin affect ovulation (when your ovary releases an egg). That can keep you from having a period. That’s why you may hear people say that you can’t get pregnant when you’re breastfeeding.

Why is there no ovulation during lactation?

Breastfeeding delays the resumption of normal ovarian cycles by disrupting the pattern of pulsatile release of GnRH from the hypothalamus and hence LH from the pituitary.

How long does it take to ovulate after stopping breastfeeding?

How soon you’ll get pregnant again depends if you’ll be breastfeeding or not. Breastfeeding and the hormones that go along with milk production can suppress ovulation from returning. If you’re not breastfeeding, ovulation usually doesn’t return until at least six weeks postpartum for most women.

Can you have an anovulatory cycle while breastfeeding?

A few breastfeeding mothers will experience an anovulatory cycle while others will have short luteal phases for the first few cycles, primarily due to insufficient hormone levels. Early changes in cervical mucus can also be misleading, which makes predicting fertility a challenge.