Low oestrogen while breastfeeding

[StiffyByng]

My DD is 13 months and still breastfeeds at night, during the night (we co-sleep), in the morning and on demand on the days I'm with her. We both love it and we've had a big struggle to get through the early days to this point.

I have a prolapse and was seen today at the urogynae clinic at Kings. Apparently my oestrogen level is very low as I have a 'menopausal' vagina (my periods have also not returned) and the doctor's advice was to both use an oestrogen cream topically and stop breastfeeding, as the prolapse will otherwise get worse.

I'm willing to use the cream but heartbroken to end the feeding relationship like this. I'm thinking of trying to take it down to an evening feed only as a compromise. Anyone know if this will lessen the oestrogen suppressing effect? Or have any other words of wisdom.

To be honest, after coping with HPB, and now this, I get the impression my body just doesn't isn't made for breastfeeding.

Stiffy - I don't have any info on this but could you contact Wendy Jones at the Drugs in Breastmilk helpline (Wendy is a pharmacist and a bfing counsellor) as I am sure she would be able to give you information on the effects of a topical oestogen cream on milk supply.

I'm not sure why the prolapse would get worse?! I had really bad vaginal dryness and lack of libido for 15 months after birth, due to low oestrogen because I was bf. oestrogen replacement cream and a lidnocaine local anaesthetic cream for sex did help with the dryness a lot. I would have said BF for 13 months surely shows your body is most definitely made for BF?! I had a twatty consultant tell me to stop bf straightaway as well, and told me it was bad for my bones - I wrote a very strongly worded letter with scientific papers to the contrary.

I would google to see if there is any credible link to low oestrogen and prolapse worsening (although I would have thought they would fix it with an operation?) - if not, don't give up BF on their advice.

My periods came back when I stoped doing the night feeds - IO was still feeding three times a day though. HTH.

Thank you, both.

Haggis, the doctor said that the prolapse would worsen because the vaginal walls were so thin. Having said that, I've found reference to the use of oestrogen cream with prolapse being unproven. I'm happy to use it if it'll help but would really like to preserve some breastfeeding at least. It's good to know you've done both and seen some improvement. They will operate but not until I've had the other children I'd like, unless my quality of life is bad enough to do it earlier.

Truth, Wendy Jones sounds like a good thing.

I was in tears most of last night as I fed my daughter as I just can't imagine stopping yet. I'm still taking domperidone for supply which I was hoping to drop, but I've now seen that oestrogen can affect supply. Something else to ask Ms Jones I think.