Question

Complete lactation could help as a natural method of contraception
a. True
b. False

Answer 1

Hint: Birth control has been a very vast field of study for a few decades. The regulation of conception or pregnancy is one by a lot of methods to limit the number of offspring. Birth control methods deliberately prevent fertilization. Several contraceptive measures are available like- temporary, permanent, and medical termination of pregnancy.

Complete answer:
Periodic abstinence method, coitus interruptus, lactational amenorrhea are some methods of contraception. Lactation is the production of milk in the female’s breasts after giving birth to a child in mammals. The secretion of prolactin and oxytocin depends on the suckling produced by the nursing infant. Milk secretion is maintained as long as the mother is breastfeeding and hence, hormone production continues.

Prolactin inhibits the release of Luteinizing hormone from the pituitary and counters the effects of Follicle-stimulating hormone and Luteinizing hormone on the ovarian follicles. Hence for nursing mothers, the menstrual cycle is suppressed. Due to no menstruation, there is no ovulation, hence the negligible chances of pregnancy. Therefore, this is considered the most effective method of contraception.

The World Health Organization has also proved that complete lactation can help as a natural method of contraception but this is only effective for six months.

Therefore, being a natural method of contraception lactation is truly helpful in preventing pregnancy.
Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Lactational Amenorrhea which is the absence of menstruation is based on the fact that ovulation and menstruation stop during the period of intense lactation. As a result chances of conception are least as long as the mother lactates fully. But this method is efficacious only up to six months following parturition and has no side effects.