Many moms with PCOS have no problems with breastfeeding, but recent research is showing that mothers with PCOS are at greater risk for insufficient milk supply. On the other hand, about one-third of women with PCOS report problems with oversupply (perhaps this is connected with the hyperprolactinemia – elevated prolactin levels – that occurs in about 20% of moms with PCOS).
Polycystic ovarian syndrome and breastfeeding, from the Australian Breastfeeding Association
PCOS and Breastfeeding. Interview with Lisa Marasco, MA, IBCLC
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Breastfeeding by Nancy Howat BSc (Hons), and Hilary Jacobson, CH.HU.SI.
Breastfeeding and PCOS: Living and Feeding With Low Milk Supply by Krissi Danielsson
PCOS and Breastfeeding by Carolyn Griffith Kelley, PhD, from Breastfeeding Update, October 2003;3(3):1. San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition.
Vanky E, Nordskar J, Leithe H, Hjorth-Hansen A, Martinussen M, Carlsen S. Breast size increment during pregnancy and breastfeeding in mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome: a follow-up study of a randomised controlled trial on metformin versus placebo. BJOG. 2012 Jul 25. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03449.x. [Epub ahead of print]
Shannon M, Wang Y. Polycystic ovary syndrome: a common but often unrecognized condition. J Midwifery Womens Health 2012;57(3):221-30.
Vanky E, IsaksenH, Moen MH, Carlsen SM. Breastfeeding in polycystic ovary syndrome. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2008;87(5):531-5.
Nesmith H. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Lactation. Topics In Breastfeeding Set XVIII, Lactation Resource Centre, 2006 (November).
Briggs GG, Ambrose PJ, Nageotte MP, Padilla G, Wan S. Excretion of Metformin Into Breast Milk and the Effect on Nursing Infants. Obstet Gynecol 2005;105:1437-1441.
Baillargeon J, Jakubowicz D, Iuorno M, Jukubowicz S, Nestler J. Effects of metformin and rosiglitazone, along and in combination, in nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome and normal indices of insulin sensitivity. Fertil Steril 2004;82(4):893-902.
Hale TW, Kristensen JH, Hackett LP, Kohan R, Ilett KF. Transfer of metformin into human milk. Diabetologia 2002;45:1509–1514.
Marasco L, Marmet C, Shell E. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Connection to Insufficient Milk Supply? J Hum Lact 2000;16(2):143-8.
More studies on metformin and breastfeeding
