Tag Archives: contraception

Breastfeeding turns out to be a great contraceptive – and not just because noone feels sexy with a baby attached to them day and night. Exclusive breastfeeding (i.e. no formula or solids) can be around 98% effective as a contraceptive for the first six months (NHS Choices; 2003 Cochrane review). Brilliant, right? But noooo, wait, despite breastfeeding being about as effective as the pill (99%) and condoms (98%) (NHS choices), women are advised not to rely on it (e.g., this NHS article). Why? I think for the same reason that the rhythm method is discouraged – a basic belief that women can’t be trusted to understand or follow ‘complicated’ instructions. The rhythm method involves not having unprotected sex on days when you’re fertile – and there are surprisingly few of those, as you find out when you start trying to get pregnant rather than prevent it. Done properly, the rhythm method can be 98% effective (NHS choices). For many women who don’t get on with the pill or condoms and who wouldn’t view pregnancy as a disaster, this is a great option. I asked a medical professional for advice on it once and she actually laughed. Apparently there’s so little faith in women’s ability to follow the rules and not think ‘sod it’ on key days that the method isn’t recommended for anyone. This means no advice, no support, and presumably a higher failure rate than if women were provided with the facts and left to make their own decisions. The same view seems to be taken of breastfeeding as a form of contraception, as it’s less effective if the baby also has formula or solids or the woman’s periods have returned (Patient.co.uk article). We’re talking about women who recently created a whole new person who they’re completely responsible for and sustaining on their milk. But goodness, don’t expect them to understand the distinction between ‘exclusively breastfeeding’ and ‘breastfeeding a bit’. Heaven forbid.