Inhibition of puerperal lactation by bromocriptine

Puerperal lactation is regulated by a complex of hormones, including in particular prolactin. In a few instances prevention of lactation is desirable on medical grounds. However, most Western-European women who do not nurse their babies choose not to do so for personal reasons. In two double-blind studies the effect of bromocriptine was compared with that of placebo and an oestrogen/androgen compound. Bromocriptine prevented both milk secretion and engorgement of the breasts very effectively. It is clearly a better and more specific inhibitor of lactation than the combined oestrogen/androgen compound. Its effect is through the blockade of pituitary prolactin release. As normoprolactinaemia is reached, normal ovarian function is restored in bromocriptine treated women. To prevent the occurrence of a rebound lactation phenomenon, the drug has to be administered continuously for at least a fortnight.