The acceptability of a progestagen-only contraceptive during breast-feeding

The acceptability of an oral contraceptive containing norethisterone 0.35 mg was investigated in a group of mothers followed-up at 6 months post-partum. Eighty-four mothers out of a total of 203 (41%) had used this preparation while breast-feeding and 37 (44%) of these were still taking it at the time of follow-up. The most frequent reason for discontinuation was cessation of breast-feeding. The overall duration of breast-feeding did not appear to differ between this group and a group using occlusive methods of contraception. Uterine bleeding during therapy was related to duration of breast-feeding, with 68% of women who breast-fed for longer than five months remaining amenorrhoeic. Irregular bleeding occurred in 12% of the women who breast-fed for longer than 5 months compared with 43% of those who stopped breast-feeding within the first 3 months. In only 9% of cases was the pill discontinued because of side effects, including irregular bleeding.