This record contains information specific to oral norethindrone used alone for contraception. Those with an interest in a combination oral contraceptive should consult the record entitled, Contraceptives, Oral, Combined. No information is available on the use of high-dose norethindrone acetate during breastfeeding.
Although nonhormonal methods are preferred during breastfeeding, progestin-only contraceptives such as norethindrone are considered the hormonal contraceptives of choice during lactation. Fair quality evidence indicates that norethindrone does not adversely affect the composition of milk, the growth and development of the infant or the milk supply.[1,2] Some evidence indicates that progestin-only contraceptives may offer protection against bone mineral density loss during lactation, or at least do not exacerbate it.[3-5] A large percentage of women who planned to breastfeed discontinued oral progestin-only contraceptives by 3 months postpartum[6] and progestin-only contraceptives often result in rapid repeat pregnancy.[7]