Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Novestrol? Is Novestrol safe for nursing mother and child? Does Novestrol extracts into breast milk? Does Novestrol has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Novestrol influence milk supply or can Novestrol decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Novestrol lactation summary

Novestrol usage has low risk in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Novestrol is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Novestrol may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Novestrol may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Novestrol low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
  • While using Novestrol We suggest monitoring child for possible reactions. It is also important to understand that side effects vary largely based on age of breastfed child and time of medication in addition to dosage.
  • Score calculated using the DrLact safety Version 1.2 model, this score ranges from 0 to 8 and measures overall safety of drug in lactation. Scores are primarily calculated using publicly available case studies, research papers, other scientific journals and publically available data.

Answer by Dr. Ru: About Novestrol usage in lactation

Synthetic estrogen that has a similar action as estradiol. Used in combination with progestogens for contraception. Ethinylestradiol is excreted in small or no amount into breast milk.There is evidence (albeit inconsistent) that estrogen-containing pills may decrease milk production, especially during the first few weeks postpartum with a daily dose above 30 micrograms of Novestrol.It may reduce the protein content of the milk.No problems have been observed in infants whose mothers were treated, except some cases of transient gynecomastia in infants whose mothers were receiving a higher dose than usual. During lactation progestin-only drugs are preferred or in combination with estrogen for birth control, but whatever, the ones with the lower doses of estrogen should be used.For the first 6 weeks postpartum, non-hormonal methods are of choise.

Answer by DrLact: About Novestrol usage in lactation

This record contains information specific to Novestrol used alone. Users with an interest in an oral contraceptive should consult the record entitled, "Contraceptives, Oral, Combined."There is little information available on the use of Novestrol alone during breastfeeding. Levels in milk appear to be low. Based on studies on oral contraceptives that contain Novestrol, immediate side effects such as breast enlargement appear to occur rarely. It seems likely that doses of 30 mcg daily or greater can suppress lactation. The magnitude of the effect on lactation likely depends on the dose and the time of introduction postpartum, but data are not adequate to accurately define these doses and times.

Novestrol Side Effects in Breastfeeding

Published information was not found as of the revision date on the effects of Novestrol alone on breastfed infants. However, case reports exist of breast enlargement in the infants of mothers taking combination oral contraceptives that contained Novestrol or its prodrug, mestranol.[1][3][4][5]

Novestrol Possible Effects in Breastfeeding

Published information was not found as of the revision date on the effects of Novestrol on milk production. However, numerous studies on combination contraceptives containing Novestrol or its prodrug mestranol indicate that doses of 30 mcg daily or greater might interfere with lactation.[6][7][8][9][10][11] One study that used a contraceptive containing 10 mcg of Novestrol found no effect on lactation.[12]A retrospective cohort study compared 371 women who received high-dose estrogen (either 3 mg of diethylstilbestrol or 150 mcg of Novestrol daily)during adolescence for adult height reduction to 409 women who did not receive estrogen. No difference in breastfeeding duration was found between the two groups, indicating that high-dose estrogen during adolescence has no effect on later breastfeeding.[13]

Alternate Drugs

Synonyms of Novestrol

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