Can I take birth control pills for a long time during the lactation period? When should I take birth control pills?

We all know that birth control pills are a relatively quick method of contraception. You only need to take one pill. You can take birth control pills even after having sex. The success rate of contraception can reach over 80%. However, for many mothers who are breastfeeding, they have their menstruation and ovulation. If they have sex at this time and take birth control pills, it may have some adverse effects on the baby. Therefore, you need to decide according to the situation.

Many experts believe that breastfeeding women should not take birth control pills because it will affect milk secretion and the health of the baby. Contraception can be achieved through IUDs, condoms, sterilization surgery, etc.

What is the specific reason? Because contraceptives contain testosterone, progesterone and estrogen derivatives, these substances will inhibit the production of prolactin after entering the mother's body, causing the amount of milk secretion to decrease, and the secreted breast milk is not enough for the baby. Moreover, the active ingredients in contraceptive drugs, such as testosterone, progesterone and estrogen derivatives, will enter the baby's body through breast milk, which is not conducive to the baby's growth and development.

But some people believe that whether you can take birth control pills during breastfeeding depends on different situations.

1. If it is 3 months after delivery, or more than half a year after a caesarean section, and the doctor has confirmed that you are not pregnant, you can insert an IUD. Contraceptive methods such as condoms, diaphragms, and external contraceptive films can also be used. If you do not want to have any more children, you can also take sterilization measures and have a vasectomy. After the man has been sterilized, he still has to use contraceptive measures for a period of time. Only when the semen examination confirms that no sperm is found can he stop taking contraceptive measures.

2. If you are a new mother who is not breastfeeding, you can start taking oral contraceptives 2-3 months after delivery. If you suffer from heart, liver, kidney or other important organ diseases or diabetes, you should not take birth control pills, because these drugs may increase the burden on these organs and affect your body's recovery after childbirth.

3. If you are breastfeeding your baby, you should not take birth control pills. Because birth control pills can have adverse effects on the baby through breast milk, and may also reduce milk secretion. Postpartum breastfeeding will inhibit ovulation and temporarily stop menstruation, which has a certain contraceptive effect. However, this contraceptive effect is not 100% effective. Some people ovulate first and become pregnant before their menstruation resumes. Therefore, contraceptive measures should be taken when resuming sexual life for the first time after childbirth or during breastfeeding. The principles for choosing a contraceptive method during lactation are that it should not affect milk secretion and should be suitable for women's postpartum physiology, such as the absence of menstruation and less vaginal secretions. Men should take more responsibility, and male contraceptive methods are recommended.