Side effects of steroid contraception

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Abstract
Summary: Side effects of steroid contraception during lactation are discussed and followed by a review of the relevant literature. It appears that oestrogen has an inhibiting effect on lactation performance, but progestogen alone does not. Most of the undesirable systemic side effects of oral contraceptives on the mother are connected with the relative excess or deficiency of the oestrogen and/or the progestogen component. It is likely that a low oestrogen content preparation causes no dangerous side effects. There are few data about the appearance of contraceptive steroids in breast milk. Probably only a small proportion of the steroids are excreted into the milk. Any adverse effects, on the infant, such as slow weight gain, neonatal breast hypertrophy and breast milk jaundice, are dependent on the two preceding factors. It is doubtful whether the small amount of contraceptive steroids contained in modern pills exert any influence on the fetus. Although further examinations are necessary, the low dosage of progestogen and oestrogen combined contraceptives given at fully established lactation under close control seems to be advantageous to both mothers and their infants.