Progesterone-only contraceptives (POC) are administered orally, by depot injection, intradermal implant or intra-uterine device.
There is no evidence that POCs have any effects on breastfeeding infants, established lactation or milk composition. The risk of POCs inhibiting early lactation is low. However, if early postpartum contraception is required, non-hormonal contraception is preferred. If a hormonal contraceptive is clinically appropriate, an oral POC (desogestrel, norethisterone, or levonorgestrel) is preferred to longer-acting formulations, which are advised to be delayed until 6 weeks postpartum.
POCs are the contraceptives of choice at all stages of breastfeeding, once lactation fully established.