Is Mammography Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Mammography? Is Mammography safe for nursing mother and child? Does Mammography extracts into breast milk? Does Mammography has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Mammography influence milk supply or can Mammography decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Mammography lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for Mammography is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of Mammography is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research also indicates that Mammography does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Mammography safe in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher 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 Mammography usage in lactation
Mammographies, like any x-ray, do not contraindicate breastfeeding because the radiation neither stays in the breast nor is excreted in the milk. Breastfeeding, as with small or very large breasts, can make reading a mammography difficult (Robbins 2011, Gregl 1977), in which case ultrasound can be used (Sabate 2007).There is not always an increase in density or reading difficulties in breastfeeding mothers (Swinford 1998).Emptying the breast (breastfeeding) just before can help to reduce the discomfort of the examination and facilitate its reading. Mammographies do not alter prolactin levels (Saraç 2008). The different contrasts for these explorations (iodized or not) are compatible with breastfeeding because they are inert, metabolize quickly without releasing iodine, are not excreted in milk and are not absorbable orally (Cova 2014, Tremblay 2012, Wang 2012, Newman 2007, Webb 2005, Nielsen 1987). Following a radiological examination, even with iodinated contrast or not, it is not necessary to wait before breastfeeding. See below the information of these related groups: X-Ray Contrast Media, Iodinated. ATC V08A X-Ray Contrast Media, Non-Iodinate. ATC V08B