Dear Terri

A nursing mother is supposed to have low estrogen levels - this is 
how lactational amenorrhoea works!

Quite some time ago I worked with a mother who was prescribed 
estrogen transdermal patches to "treat" postpartum depression.  I 
found that although the mother's milk supply seemed to be adequate in 
quantity (baby was passing sufficient clear urine), the baby had 
extended jaundice and failed to gain adequate weight.  When the 
estrogen patches were removed, the jaundice resolved and the baby 
gained catch-up weight and then went on to do well - the mother 
exclusively breastfed for the normal length of time.  While I was 
searching around for answers I contacted the Toxicology Department at 
the University of Zimbabwe.  The doctor (pharmacology) told me that 
estrogen could negatively affect the protein and fat content of the 
milk.  He became very interested in the case and we wrote it up 
together and it was published.  Here is the abstract 
below.  Unfortunately I can't locate the full text on PubMed, but 
perhaps you can??

Pamela Morrison IBCLC
-------------------
Cent Afr J Med. 1999 Mar;45(3):68-70.
Oestrogen transdermal patches for post partum depression in lactating 
mothers--a case report.
Ball DE, Morrison P.

Department of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe. 
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Oestrogen transdermal patches are now being used in the prophylaxis 
and treatment of post partum depression. Oestrogens are known to have 
potential adverse effects on breastfed infants. This case describes 
jaundice and poor weight gain in the child of a lactating mother 
prescribed oestrogen transdermal patches. There is a need for caution 
in the use of this therapy in breast feeding mothers and health 
professionals should be alert for problems.

PMID: 10565065 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
---------------------
Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2012 20:05:40 -0400
From: Terri Klein <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: low estrogen

Dear Lactnet readers,
I need help with this ASAP. A mom sent an email that she visited her 
OB today thinking she had a vaginal infection. She was told that her 
estrogen levels could be low which would have symptoms of infection. 
She is breastfeeding. He wanted to order an estrogen cream since that 
shouldn't interfere with her milk supply.
She looked up low estrogen symptoms in which she does not have 
painful intercourse, hot flashes or the symptoms she found. She is 
also very cautious about taking any medications. I am at a total loss 
on this one. I have not been able to find any info in Lawrence, 
Breastfeeding. Of course, I am at home and do not have access to any 
of my resources. I can look up Hale when I get back to work. Please 
feel free to email me privately at work address.
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Thanks,
Terri Klein RN, IBCLC, RLC

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