Learning about lactation amenorrhea method (LAM)
Learning About Lactation Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
Lactation amenorrhea method (LAM) is a way for breastfeeding to temporarily help prevent pregnancy. It must be used correctly to work. Lactation means your body is making breastmilk and amenorrhea means you aren’t having a monthly period. Breastfeeding hormones may stop your body from releasing eggs. You can’t get pregnant if you don’t release an egg.
How well does LAM work?
- You can get pregnant as early as one month after having a baby, when not using LAM or another method of birth control.
- With perfect use (you follow the exact directions all the time) LAM is 98% effective against pregnancy for the first 6 months after giving birth.
- Think about getting emergency contraception to help prevent pregnancy if you've not followed LAM correctly and you've had unprotected sex in the last 5 days.
- LAM doesn't protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.
When can I use LAM as birth control?
LAM only works if your:
- baby is under 6 months old and
- baby is fully breastfed (baby gets no other liquid or food, not even water) or nearly-fully breastfed (baby gets vitamins, water, or other fluids or nutrients once in a while and they do not disrupt the frequency of feedings) and
- period has not returned. This means you have not had vaginal bleeding for 2 or more days in a row (not counting bleeding during the first 2 months after giving birth)
LAM does not work if you don’t have all 3 things above. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if LAM is right for you.
What are the benefits of LAM?
- It can work for up to 6 months after birth.
- It is effective right away.
- There are no added hormones that can affect your breastmilk.
- There is no cost and no birth control supplies are needed.
- Breastfeeding has many other health benefits for you and your baby.
What are the disadvantages of LAM?
- It may be difficult for some to fully or nearly fully breastfeed.
- Fertility can return quickly if breastfeeding is reduced.
- It’s only effective for up to 6 months after you have your baby.
- If LAM is not used correctly there is a higher risk of failure from even one act of vaginal sex.
What else is important to know about consent, sexual activity, and birth control?
- You have the right to decide to have sex or not. Talk with your partner or partners about consent.
- There’s an 85% chance of becoming pregnant within one year, if no birth control is used for vaginal sex.
- Use a condom or barrier every time you have sex (oral, vaginal, anal). Condoms help prevent pregnancy, STIs, and HIV.
- You can lower your risk of HIV by taking HIV prevention medicine. Many Albertans can get it for free. Visit HIV PrEP to find out more.
- Transgender and gender diverse people who have a uterus can use hormonal birth control. It can help prevent pregnancy and make periods lighter and less painful.
Where can I find more information?
If you have questions, need to find a sexual health clinic near you, or want more information, call Health Link at 811 anytime, day or night, to talk to a registered nurse.
To see this information online and learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_birth_control_lam_inst.
Related to Sexual and Reproductive Health
For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.
Current as of: May 28, 2024
Author: Sexual and Reproductive Health, Alberta Health Services
This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.
