Side Effect of Breastfeeding

What is the difference between side effect of breastfeeding and benefits of breastfeeding?

Well, the benefits of breastfeeding are something we don’t need to debate. Breast milk is golden standard of infant feeding which has the most beneficial nutrient for babies. These make breast milk become the most precious gift for the newborn.

What I'm going to share here is the side effect of breastfeeding which is based on my real experience. And side effect is usually related with "negative" impact.

This side effect is similar with those in medication label which usually declare the side effects of consuming certain drugs, such as; nausea, constipation or sleepy. However, depending on the patient’s condition, not every person will experience such a side effect. This side effect of breastfeeding is just the same, not every woman will experience this uncomfortable situation. Unfortunately, it did happen to me. That's why I can write and share this story.

So, what I mean by side effect of breastfeeding is; (sorry) dryness in my vagina and causing a domino effect, pain during intercourse.

I’m a kind of woman who had no periods during breastfeeding. My breastfeeding for my first baby is only 4 months, so in the 5th month after delivery, I've already had my period just like usual. The breastfeeding time for my second baby lasts longer, which is 20 months, and I've just get back my menstruation 14 months after delivery.

Actually, the dryness of my vagina area is not a big problem; it was in fact made me more comfortable because I didn't feel dampness on this area. The problem was occurred when it's time to have a sexual intercourse. The pain caused trauma.

When I tried to discuss this matter with some friends on a healthy mailing list, they suggest me to do longer foreplay or creating a more supporting atmosphere before having sex. I've tried many efforts but get no result. I still always felt pain, poignant and burnt in my private area.

Finally, my husband tried to use a lubricant. Well, OK it's quite helpful. At the beginning, he could finally penetrate, but the feeling of pain and burnt inside the vagina can not diminish. It was just felt like being rubbed with coarse paper.

After my boy had his 1st birthday, I could not stand any longer and went to my obgyn. I hope there were some kinds of vitamins of supplement which cause lubrication effect but do not reduce my breast milk supply. Moreover, I also felt worry, because one of my friend thought that there's something wrong with my reproductive function and suggested me to consult with the obgyn.

According to the obgyn’s explanation, breastfeeding will inhibit the production of estrogen which has a very important role on menstruation cycle and produce “oil” in the vagina. He gave me two solutions. The first and instant solution; if I want a normal estrogen’s level back, I have to stop breastfeeding. But surely he didn’t recommend it. The second alternative was waiting until I pass the breastfeeding period, which is until my baby is 2 years (WHO recommendation). I can not imagine that I’ve to restrain with this pain for one more year until I finally can enjoy a sexual intercourse just like before.

Finally, I brought nothing from my obgyn as the result of my visit. He did not write recipe for any vitamins or supplement. I decided to accept this situation and waiting for my boy reach his second birthday. If this breastfeeding period ended and there’s no significant change, I promise to visit my obgyn again.

Fortunately I don’t have to wait for such a long time. Not long after my visit, I got my period and soon after that I can have a normal intercourse as before breastfeeding. The fact was after getting my normal menstruation, I did not feel anymore dryness in my private area.

That was my experience about breastfeeding’s side effect?

What about yours?