Which of the following statements regarding lactational amenorrhea method are correct? 1. It is equally effective in amenorrheic as well as menstruating woman if the woman is exclusively breastfeeding. 2. The risk of pregnancy in amenorrheic woman who is exclusively breastfeeding is less than 2% in the first 6 months. 3. It requires exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. 4. The failure rate for exclusively breastfeeding and menstruating women is 15-20%. Select the answer using the code given below.
2 and 3
The correct answer is 2 and 3. The Lactational Amenorrhoea Method (LAM) is valid only when all three Bellagio criteria hold together: the mother is amenorrhoeic, she is exclusively (fully or nearly fully) breastfeeding, and the infant is under 6 months. Intense suckling raises prolactin, which suppresses pulsatile GnRH and LH and so blocks ovulation. With all criteria met, pregnancy risk in the first 6 months is less than 2% (statement 2), and the method is defined as requiring exclusive breastfeeding through 6 months (statement 3).
Why the others are wrong: Statement 1 is false — LAM is not equally effective once menses return; resumption of bleeding signals returning ovulation and the method must be abandoned. Statement 4 is false: the failure rate in breastfeeding but menstruating women is not 15–20% but of the order of 5–7%. Hence "2 and 4", "3 and 4" and "1 and 4" are all wrong.
Key point: LAM fails the moment any one criterion breaks — return of menses, supplementary feeds, or baby turning 6 months — and another contraceptive must start at once.
Similar Questions
If 100 couples have used a method for a period of 2 years and have resulted in 10 pregnancies, what will be the effectiveness of the method used?
Important Questions from Conventional Contraceptives
- Which one of the following statements regarding contraception is NOT true?
- Which of the following are correct regarding failure rate of contraceptive methods?
1. Depot medroxyprogesterone ace-tate 0 to 1 per HWY
2. Norplant 0-1 per HWY
3. LNG-IUS 0.02 per HWY
4. Levonorgestrel 3 per HWY
Select the correct answer using the code given below : - Injectable medroxyprogesterone IP 150 mg/mL contraceptive injection is available in Family Health Programme of the Government of India under the name
- A 25-year-old newly married female on liver enzyme inducers is requesting contraceptive advice in family planning clinic. Which of the following would be the most reliable method of contraception for her?
- Amongst the following, the Pearl Index is highest with
