Comparison of four treatments to prevent and control breast pain and engorgement in nonnursing mothers

Women who decide not to breast-feed often experience breast discomfort and engorgement. Four suppressants used to control discomfort and engorgement were evaluated: 3 nonpharmacologic suppressants--compressing binders, a regular support bra, and limited fluid intake--and a pharmacologic suppressant--bromocriptine mesylate, which is a prolactin inhibitor that suppresses lactation. The amount of leaking colostrum or milk was used to measure lactation suppression. the pharmacologic treatment bromocriptine mesylate was most effective in reducing breast enlargement. Sometimes rebound engorgement is observed when bromocriptine therapy ceases, but only 2 out of 15 subjects studied experienced this problem. The study reported decreased leaking in the binder group, but no statistical difference in severity of pain. More women are opting for nonpharmacologic treatments to suppress breast discomfort, which is severest between postpartum days 3-6. Therefore, more study needs to be done on alternative nonpharmacologic methods of laction suppression. (kbc)