Re: Breastfeeding and Perimenopause

[Guest guest]

I have a dear friend who is mid 30s and post menopausal. The OBGYN related it to extend nursing 3 child, including a set of twins. After much research, tests and doctors visits she has learned it is autoimmune. Not sure what the underlying autoimmune disorder is yet. She had been diagnosed with hypothyroid and not sure of the relatedness to menopause. Her bone scans also show osteoporosis.

My suggestion to the mother is to have a full panel of hormone levels drawn by an endocrinologist, bone density scan, mammogram read by an expert with lactating breast experience.

Seeing what my friend is going through I would highly encourage a client to find an endocrinologist who will listen and act. Her change happened rapidly now leaving her with osteoporosis and trying to find the best hormone route plus leaving her unable to conceive more children naturally.

Kim Guelig

Ibclc, RLC, LLLL

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Breastfeeding and Perimenopause

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Wed, Apr 25, 2012 6:07:01 AM

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Mother is in her late 30's, breastfeeding a Toddler and mom has started to show signs of Perimenopause.

I have really found myself at a loss to provide her with information on breastfeeding through perimenopause because there is really nothing I can find on the subject in any of my lactation texts, neither any information regarding the affects on lactation, the affects on menopause, (whether breastfeeding is causing it? will it reduce/go away after weaning? how all of the symptoms and actual hormonal happenings are affecting breastfeeding and the milk, etc).

We were actually surprised to not find any books written on the topic as there seem to be so many mothers waiting to have children until later these days. The closest thing I can find is Susun Weed's book on Perimenopause, but it doesn't really deal with Breastfeeding.

If I'm missing something, can someone lead me to the right book or chapter of book or studies etc that might be able to shine some general light on this topic? We don't have one specific question, just generally looking for some more in-depth information/support/resources about breastfeeding through Peri-menopause.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

How are the docs defining 'perimenopausal' and 'postmenopausal'? If menopause

is defined as one year without a cycle than I've experienced that twice, once

with each kid. Why would the lack of a cycle impact milk production - Dr Naomi

Baumslag[8] noted legendary wet-nurse Judith Waterford: " In 1831, on her 81st

birthday, she could still produce breast milk. In her prime she unfailingly

produced two quarts (four pints or 2.3 litres) of breast milk a day. " [6] - from

wikipedia.com

best regards,

McCormick, IBCLC

Shelburne Vermont

[Guest guest]

Case

study of 1:

I effectively

used compounded natural hormone replacement for osteoporosis while

breastfeeding. I was 40 at the time and had 50% bone loss in the spine. I saw

very good improvement in bone density during this time, 4.5% per year. I began

this treatment when my nursing daughter was 15 months old and she nursed until

she was about 5. It was determined that I had hormonal imbalance eventually. I

continued to have menstrual cycles with the use of these hormones, but did not

have them when I ceased using them after about 10 years. If she has other

questions I can help with please feel free to ask.

Judy

Judith

L. Gutowski, BA, IBCLC, RLC

[Guest guest]

Increasing it. Doc started me on a really, really low dose and I've have to step it up three times.Lynn

Hi Lynn,

What sort of adjustments have you made?

Thanks

>

> It is my experience that low thyroid can mimic or bring on menopausal symptoms. My mom had a very early menopause, but has a not-very-well-treated hypothyroid. I thought I was following in her footsteps in my mid thirties, but each adjustment I've made to my armor thyroid has made me more fertile---more mucus, higher quality, and for more days.

>

> So it's something to consider in a mom who is "too young" for menopause or perimenopause.

>

> Lynn in MO

>

[Guest guest]

Increasing thyroid hormone?

> > >

> > > It is my experience that low thyroid can mimic or bring on menopausal

symptoms. My mom had a very early menopause, but has a not-very-well-treated

hypothyroid. I thought I was following in her footsteps in my mid thirties, but

each adjustment I've made to my armor thyroid has made me more fertile---more

mucus, higher quality, and for more days.

> > >

> > > So it's something to consider in a mom who is " too young " for menopause or

perimenopause.

> > >

> > > Lynn in MO

> > >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, armour. We started with 15mg and worked up to 60mg split between morning and afternoon.

Increasing thyroid hormone?

> > >

> > > It is my experience that low thyroid can mimic or bring on menopausal symptoms. My mom had a very early menopause, but has a not-very-well-treated hypothyroid. I thought I was following in her footsteps in my mid thirties, but each adjustment I've made to my armor thyroid has made me more fertile---more mucus, higher quality, and for more days.

> > >

> > > So it's something to consider in a mom who is "too young" for menopause or perimenopause.

> > >

> > > Lynn in MO

> > >

> >

> >

>