A friend who is a NMAA Breastfeeding Counsellor asked me if I could find
out if there were any studies done with lactating mothers who were nearing
menopause, and their symptoms. She has read widely about menopause, but
found no reference to breastfeeding. She has a family history of early
menopause, and has been having some symptoms (she didn't tell me
specifically) and had a blood test done. Dr agreed that hormone levels were
consistent with early menopause, but she is still feeding her toddler many
times a day. She was interested to find out if her symptoms are likely to
improve or worsen when the child weans. Are the blood levels in early
menopause similar in any way to those during lactation? I think I remember
someone saying once that hormonally, a lactating mother is sort of in
temporary menopause. Is this true? Are the menopause symptoms related to
low oestrogen levels that I presume are also found during lactation?

With the trend towards career-oriented women delaying having their babies
to later in life, I would expect this sort of question to arise from time
to time. Anybody with experience of clients in this situation?

Joy Anderson IBCLC, NMAA Breastfeeding Counsellor
Perth, Western Australia
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