What are the Mechanisms Behind Lactational Amenorrhea?
The primary mechanism behind lactational amenorrhea involves the hormone prolactin, which is produced by the pituitary gland in response to breastfeeding. Elevated levels of prolactin inhibit the release of GnRH from the hypothalamus. This inhibition decreases the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland, which are essential for the ovulation process. As a result, ovulation is suppressed, and menstruation does not occur.
