The resumption of ovulation and menstruation in a well-nourished population of women breastfeeding for an extended period of time.

Abstract

We have studied a large group of Australian women breastfeeding for an extended period of time to determine the duration of lactational anovulation (n = 89) and amenorrhea (n = 101). Salivary progesterone assays were used to determine ovulation. These women had a mean of 322 days of anovulation and 289 days amenorrhea. Less than 20% had ovulated and less than 25% had menstruated by 6 months postpartum. The latest ovulation was at 750 days and the latest menstruation at 698 days. There was no significant correlation between any measure of maternal nutritional status and the duration of anovulation or amenorrhea. Neither the time of first supplement introduction to the baby nor the amount of supplement given was an accurate predictor of the return of ovulation or menstruation. However, our results clearly show that lactational amenorrhea can provide good protection against pregnancy in the 1st 6 months postpartum, even in well-nourished women who are giving their babies supplemental feeds.