Marian,
Regarding the breastfeeding & endometriosis: I do hope that someone else
knowledgeable will jump in here, but I do want to say that endometriosis
is caused by an overproliferation of the endometrium, which is built up
each cycle and hopefully shed with each menses. When endometriosis
develops, the endometrium actuall invades the abdominal cavity and
cleaves to the outside of the uterus, etc., resulting in pain. One of the
major ways of dealing with this has been to put the mom on hormones, ie
birth control pills, to stop the cycling and thus stop the building of
endometrium. Lactational amenorrhea also stops the cycling for a time,
and should accomplish the same objective.

However, having said that, I am *not* an expert in this and have wondered
how women can develop endometriosis so quickly postpartum, especially when
breastfeeding. If someone else can explain this, I am interested in the
answer as well!

-Lisa

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Lisa A. Marasco, IBCLC                                /  [log in to unmask]
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant    /  [log in to unmask]

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