A cyst is a fluid-filled compartment that is lined with cells. Depending on the cells that form the margin of the cyst, the cyst can be benign or cancerous. Breast-feeding does not have immediate relationships to cysts, but it can decrease the possibility of malignant ovarian cysts later in life. Medications taken during breast-feeding, however, can promote the development of benign cysts in the ovary.
Breastfeeding and Estrogen
As a woman breast-feeds, her normal reproductive hormonal cycle is altered. Hormones that trigger breast-feeding also inhibit the action of the ovaries. The growth of ovaries is thus more limited during breast-feeding. As a result, many women who are breast-feeding might have irregular or absent menstrual cycles. Because of the lack of stimulation of the ovaries, breast-feeding serves as a moderately effective form of contraception.
Functional Ovarian Cysts
Breast-feeding is not a perfect form of contraception, and women who want to avoid a pregnancy during this time should also use another method. Doctors frequently prescribe the so-called "mini-pill" form of contraception. Unlike normal contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and progesterone, the mini-pill contains only progesterone. While this is an effective mode of contraception, the mini-pill can promote the formation of functional ovarian cysts. These cysts are usually asymptomatic and benign. They usually go away on their own. In some women, they might cause mild pain, nausea and fullness in the abdomen. Rarely, the cyst can twist on itself, causing a painful complication known as torsion.
Malignant Ovarian Cysts
Breast-feeding can reduce the risk of malignant ovarian cysts. These ovarian cancers can be life-threatening if they are not detected at an early stage. An article published in "Cancer Causes & Control" in 2010 found an inverse relationship between the duration of breast-feeding and the incidence of ovarian cancer. The principle investigator, Susan S. Jordan, writes, "Along total duration of breastfeeding appears to be associated with a substantial reduction in the overall risk of ovarian cancer."
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition found in women characterized by irregular menstruation, excessive hair growth, weight gain and elevated blood sugars. These women often have elevated levels of male sex hormones, called androgens, in their blood. Many women with PCOS have multiple small cysts in their ovaries. Women with PCOS may have some initial difficulty in getting pregnant. In addition, they have less success in breast-feeding after the delivery of their baby. An article published in "Acta Obstetrica et Gynecologica Scandinavia" in 2008 found that women with PCOS were less likely to breast-feed, which was thought to stem from increased production of male sex hormones during pregnancy.
References
- NetDoctor: The Mini-Pill; David Delvin; May 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Ovarian Cysts; July 2009
- "Cancer Causes Control"; Breastfeeding and the Risk of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer; S.J. Jordan, et al.; January 2010
- "Acta Obstetrica et Gynecologica Scandinavia"; Breastfeeding in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome; E. Vanky, et al.; 2008
