Progestogen-only contraceptive use during lactation and its effects on the neonate

Overview

Contraception after childbirth is a very important health issue, and evidence supports increasing birth intervals to improve both a woman’s and her child’s health. Among the contraceptive choices in the postpartum period are hormonal methods - combined methods containing an estrogen and a progestogen, and progestogen-only methods.

Given the importance of making progestogen-only contraceptives available to women who desire them, and given the outstanding theoretical concerns of potential effects on the newborn, and the lack of data on this subject, WHO encourages further research in this area.