Question

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

Answer by DrLact: About Depo-estradiol usage in lactation

Depo-estradiol has not been studied during breastfeeding. However, the similar drug, estradiol valerate, has been used to suppress lactation, usually in combination with testosterone. Generally, Depo-estradiol should be avoided in mothers wishing to breastfeed.

Depo-estradiol Possible Effects in Breastfeeding

Another injection ester form of estradiol, estradiol valerate was previously used therapeutically to suppress lactation, usually in combination with testosterone.[3][4][5]A retrospective cohort study compared 371 women who received high-dose estrogen (either 3 mg of diethylstilbestrol or 150 mcg of ethinyl estradiol 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.[6]
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