Could Breastfeeding Reduce Your Risk of Endometriosis?

It helps with weight loss, reduces the risk of breast cancer, boost’s the baby’s immune system, and provides mother-baby bonding. Those are just a few of the benefits breastfeeding brings, and now a new study has revealed that the miraculous milk may even reduce the risk of endometriosis.

Occurrences of endometriosis, a chronic condition where the lining of the uterus grows outside of the reproductive organs on the fallopian tubes and ovaries, dropped significantly among breastfeeding women, according to a recent study published in the BMJ.

The longer a woman breastfed translated into an even lower risk of developing the painful affliction.

Although at least 10 percent of American women are diagnosed with endometriosis, the risk factors are unknown. The discovery of breastfeeding as a potential preventative measure against endometriosis could have a significant impact on mothers everywhere.

The Nurse’s Health Study II, which ran from 1989 to 2011, looked at the breastfeeding habits of thousands of women and the percentage who ended up developing endometriosis. Among women who breastfed for less than one month during their lifetime, there were 453 cases per 100,000. The study compared this to 184 cases in women who breastfed for a lifetime total of at least 36 months.

For every additional three months of total breastfeeding after each pregnancy, women experienced an eight percent decrease in risk of endometriosis. Their risk lowered by 14 percent for every additional three months of exclusive breastfeeding per pregnancy.

If breastfeeding can help ward off this incurable, chronic and painful condition, it should be considered whenever possible, to lessen the risk of endometriosis for pregnant women.

If you are experiencing symptoms of endometriosis and would like to know what treatment options are available to you, schedule your consultation with Dr. Ghozland today. Call us at (310) 393-9359 to learn more.