Basically, breastfeeding results in an elevated levels of particular hormones.

And when we have a high levels of prolactin, that basically triggers a suppression of our other hormones.

And so as a result of those low levels of hormones, a whole collection of genital and urinary symptoms can evolve.

And so that's things like vulval vaginal atrophy, vaginal dryness, decreased lubrication,

you could have painful intercourse, urinary tract infections, and urinary incontinence.

I mean, the last thing that we need is for women to be giving up breastfeeding

because they are experiencing frequent UTIs or they can't go back to having intercourse

because it's too uncomfortable and painful and they decide to stop breastfeeding because of it.

So let's talk about the treatment.

I'm Cynthia Overgard,

birth educator,

advocate for informed consent,

and postpartum support specialist.

And I'm Tresha Ludwig,

certified nurse midwife

and international board certified lactation consultant.

And this is the Down to Birth Show.

Childbirth is something we're made to do. But how do we have our safest and most satisfying experience in today's

medical culture? Let's dispel the myths and get down to birth. Hello, thank you so much for talking with me today. My name is Sarah Perlmuter. I am currently a third-year

medical student at Wild Cornell here in New York City and Manhattan. I am originally Canadian,

but I decided to pursue my undergrad and master's in England,

and then I'm now doing my MD medicine at Cornell.

...