[Benefits of breastfeeding and women's health].
OBJECTIVE
To review breastfeeding benefits for the women's health.


METHODS
Lilacs, MEDLINE, SciELO, BIREME, Cochrane Library and Google were searched for the keywords: breastfeeding and breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lactation amenorrhea, post natal period, and women's health. Single articles published between 1990 and 2004 were considered, as well as remarkable ones prior to this period.


RESULTS
There are a few articles published on the topic, even though, the existing literature reveals that there is a positive relationship between breastfeeding and decreased risk of breast cancer, cancer of the ovarian epithelium, and osteoporosis leading to hip fracture. Some studies suggest the effect of breastfeeding on the decreasing risk of rheumatoid arthritis, others mention the relation between breastfeeding and faster loss of weight gained during the gestational period. Several studies show how breastfeeding interferes on the onset of postnatal menstruation and consequent birth spacing.


CONCLUSIONS
Breastfeeding provides important benefits for the women's health, such as reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer, decreased risks of hip fractures and contribution to the increase of birth spacing.
Rea
Marina F
MF
Instituto de Saúde, Coordenação dos Institutos de Pesquisa, SES, São Paulo, SP.
D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000517:prevention & control; D001835:Body Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D049590:Postpartum Period; D016387:Women's Health