New Birth Control Options for Breastfeeding Mothers

A new option for birth control for lactating moms is currently under study. The vaginal contraceptive ring deliver2 doses of progesterone. The advantage of the non- oral delivery is that less of the hormone is excreted through the milk.

The rings are rated for continuous use for one year and postpone the resumption of menses to 10-12 months for the average mom.

The ring is already approved in Chile and Peru and trials continue here in the United States. Effectiveness of this birth control option is similar to the mini-pill.

In fact, a form of the ring is about to be released this spring for non-lactating women that contain both estrogen and progestogen. You can read about the NuvaRing here: http://www.organon.com/nuvaring_info2.asp

For women using birth control outside of LAM, this may become a great alternative to the mini-pill, Depo-Provera, Norplant, or to barrier methods also often used by breastfeeding mothers such as condom, diaphragm, contraceptive sponge, or cervical cap.