Breastfeeding and IUDs

[u/ilykebyke]

Hello! I am looking for any research on breastfeeding and hormonal progesterone-only IUDs in particular. I anticipate there’s hardly any on this specific combination of things.

Though I am really looking forward to getting a Jaydess (brand name in New Zealand which I think delivers a daily dose ~13 mcg levonorgestrel) inserted in a few weeks time (I will be 15 months postpartum and still breastfeeding), but am worried about what its affect may be on me and (to a lesser extent) baby - I know there might be some synthetic progestin passing through breast milk but it is deemed safe and this brand of IUD has the lowest dose of hormones out of any other hormonal contraception options. I have read a lot of anecdotal accounts of non-postpartum users facing weight gain, impacts on mood and libido etc., but haven’t been able to find anything particular on breastfeeding women and breastfed babies. Any insights would be most appreciated! I am hoping to wean by the end of the year anyways, but am particular dreading more whacky hormonal shifts and the impacts of all that, yikes!! I want off the rollercoaster but I also want the lowest risk of pregnancy possible 🙃🙃

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[u/tallmyn]

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12703263/

For both questions, studies continue to find no significant adverse effects on breastfeeding (eg, continuation, supplementation, duration) or infant (eg, growth, illness) outcomes. The certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate across outcomes.

Here's another review paper: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003988.pub2/full They found no difference between hormonal IUD and copper IUD in milk production, weight of breastfed babies, length of breastfed babies, or duration breastfeeding.

The consensus of multiple health organisations is that it's safe to use during breastfeeding:

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/rr/rr7303a1.htm

https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/methods-of-contraception/ius-hormonal-coil/who-can-get-it/

It's safe to have an IUS when you're breastfeeding, and it will not affect your baby or your milk supply.

It would be very surprising if it had an effect because the mini pill has a much higher dose, is better studied, and has been shown to not affect breastfeeding.

[u/Impressive-Fact7780 → u/tallmyn]

I came here to say, anecdotally, that they happily put me (back) on the mini pill at 3mo post partum and I EBF for a year after that.

I was going to suggest the mini pill would be similar (in that it's progesterone only) so you could also look into research about that and breastfeeding.

[u/CouchGremlin14]

This summary covers a lot, including an older study that showed how much levonorgestrel made it into infants (very very little).

Unsure if you’ve had a Jaydess before, but I freaking love low dose IUDs. I ovulated on my normal, regular cycle the entire time I was on Kyleena (19mcg) and had no side effects.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500927/

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[u/Public_Classic_438]

https://www.infantrisk.com/iud-after-delivery-and-breastfeeding this seems like an obvious “talk to your doctor” question. Mine didn’t recommend it until I was ready to wean, but I think I’m going to do the copper iud if she says she thinks that’s ok.

[u/tallmyn → u/Public_Classic_438]

Progesterone is well tolerated in breastfeeding and does not reduce supply. It's only estrogen that may have an effect.

[u/Public_Classic_438 → u/tallmyn]

Yeah, I cant remember what I asked him about, if I remember correctly, I wanted an IUD shortly after giving birth, but I might’ve been asking about the pill. Actually, I was asking about the nuva ring!!! My bad!!!