A study that followed thousands of women for more than 20 years has found that breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of being diagnosed with endometriosis. The researchers found that women who breastfed for a greater duration were less likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis . Proposed mechanism: It has been suggested that breastfeeding has this effect because it prolongs the temporary absence of menstrual periods (postpartum amenorrhea) and because it alters levels of some hormones that are thought to play a role in endometriosis, such as oxytocin, estrogen, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
The researchers found that: 8 % reduced risk of endometriosis for every 3 additional months of breastfeeding This figure was even higher (14 %) for women who exclusively breastfed for those months. Breastfeeding for a total of 36 months or more leads to 40 % reduced risk of endometriosis…
