A study on effectiveness of lactational amenorrhea as a method of contraception

Abstract

Background: The lactational amenorrhea method, known as LAM, is part of the World Health Organization’s list of accepted and effective methods of family planning. Studies show LAM to be 98% effective, as effective as the pill and other modern methods, when used according to guidelines. As LAM costs nothing, easy and natural to use, no medication or any devise needed, no interference with natural hormones, no interruption in conjugal life and more over the mother enjoying her motherhood life, it sounds very good as a method of contraception.Methods:This is a prospective non-comparative study. A total of 298 mothers participated in this study. The benefits of exclusive breast feeding with particular emphasis on timely breastfeeding and must feeding during the night hours were explained to the mothers and the physiology of lactational amenorrhea was explained to them. All the mothers were interviewed and followed up on monthly basis. Results:No lactating mothers conceived within the first six months of delivering their baby and only 4% mothers had evidence of pregnancy mainly after the 10th months after delivery.Conclusions:The lactational amenorrhea method is a highly effective method of contraception for 6 months if exclusive breastfeeding practices are followed. In a country like India where use of contraceptive methods are very meager, LAM may prove a boon as it provides dual benefit of exclusive breastfeeding and prevention of pregnancy.