Two Cases of Reduced Mother’s Milk Production During Use of Combined Oral Contraceptives

Abstract

Introduction:

Existing evidence on the effects of combined hormonal contraception on mothers’ milk production is inconclusive. This report describes two breastfeeding Swedish women who used combined hormonal contraceptives containing drospirenone (3 mg) and ethinylestradiol (0.03 mg).

Main issue:

Both participants experienced decreased milk production after initiating the combined hormonal contraceptives. The growth charts of their children show decreased growth during the same period and recovery after combined hormonal contraception was discontinued.

Management:

Combined hormonal contraception was discontinued, and measures were taken to increase milk production and follow infant growth.

Conclusion:

These cases follow two experiences of low milk production after initiation of combined oral contraceptives. In these cases, there was a resolution of infant weight gain with discontinuation of the medication.

Keywords

breastfeeding combined hormonal contraceptives combined oral contraceptives hormonal contraception drospirenone ethinyl estradiol infant lactation

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