title: Effectiveness of lactational amenorrhoea in prevention of pregnancy in Manila, the Philippines: non-comparative prospective trail.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the contraceptive efficacy of the lactational amenorrhoea method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Non-comparative prospective trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urban Manila, the Philippines.
  
  
  METHODS
  485 lower income, educated women with extensive experience of breast feeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women were offered all available contraceptives for use after birth. Those who chose the lactational amenorrhoea method were taught the method, screened for the study, and followed for 12 months to determine the risk of pregnancy when the method was used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Life table pregnancy rates during correct and incorrect use of the method, censored monthly in the event of sexual abstinence or the use of another contraceptive method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lactational amenorrhoea method was 99% effective when used correctly (that is, during lactational amenorrhoea and full or nearly full breast feeding for up to six months). At 12 months the effectiveness during amenorrhoea dropped to 97%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lactational amenorrhoea method provided as much protection from pregnancy as non-breast feeding women experience with non-medicated intrauterine devices and barrier methods. The contraceptive effect of lactation cannot be attributed to lactational or postpartum abstinence.
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Family Planning Center, Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Visness
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003267:Contraception; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D015993:Life Tables; D008598:Menstruation; D010679:Philippines / Q000453:epidemiology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012746:Sexual Abstinence