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No. A breastfeeding woman can switch from POPs to another hormonal method any time the new method is appropriate.
No back-up method is necessary when the new method is initiated if the woman has been breastfeeding, and has been taking the POPs fairly consistently. Estrogen-containing methods should generally not be used by breastfeeding women prior to six months postpartum or preferably any time during long-term breastfeeding.
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As long as the woman is breastfeeding and taking the POPs fairly consistently, she is fully protected through the transition to the new hormonal method.
- McCann MF, Potter LS. Progestin-only oral contraception: a comprehensive review. Contraception 1994;50(6).
Clinical trial data indicate that the pregnancy protection conferred by POP use during breastfeeding is high, indicating a synergistic pregnancy prevention effect for breastfeeding while using POPs. In addition, women in lactational amenorrhea have additional protection due to their lowered fecundity.
- Dunson T, McLaurin V, Grubb G, Rosman A. A multicenter clinical trial of a progestin-only oral contraceptive in lactating women. Contraception 1993;47:23-35.
- Kennedy KI, Visness C. Contraceptive efficacy of lactational amenorrhoea. Lancet 1992;339:227-30.
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