Family planning: lactational amenorrhoea method: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Family planning: lactational amenorrhoea method

Sample item

A mother who delivered 4 months ago asks if breastfeeding alone can serve as contraception. Which set of conditions must all be met for the lactational amenorrhoea method to be effective?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Exclusive breastfeeding, amenorrhoea and infant younger than 6 months

The lactational amenorrhoea method is more than 98% effective when the woman is fully or nearly fully breastfeeding, has not had menses since delivery, and the baby is less than 6 months old. When any condition fails, another method must be started. It carries no cost or side effects and supports breastfeeding.

Option by option

  • A. Breastfeeding, return of menses and infant younger than 6 months

    Return of menses signals resumption of fertility and ends reliable protection.

  • B. Exclusive breastfeeding, amenorrhoea and infant younger than 6 months (correct)

    Correct. All three conditions must be met for protection.

  • C. Any breastfeeding, amenorrhoea and infant younger than 12 months

    Any breastfeeding and an age limit of 12 months reduce protection, since ovulation resumes with partial feeding.

  • D. Partial breastfeeding with supplements and infant younger than 9 months

    Partial breastfeeding with supplements lowers suckling and allows earlier ovulation.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Exclusive breastfeeding, amenorrhoea and infant younger than 6 months. The lactational amenorrhoea method is more than 98% effective when the woman is fully or nearly fully breastfeeding, has not had menses since delivery, and the baby is less than 6 months old.

Why is "Breastfeeding, return of menses and infant younger than 6 months" not the answer?

Return of menses signals resumption of fertility and ends reliable protection.

Why is "Any breastfeeding, amenorrhoea and infant younger than 12 months" not the answer?

Any breastfeeding and an age limit of 12 months reduce protection, since ovulation resumes with partial feeding.

Why is "Partial breastfeeding with supplements and infant younger than 9 mont…" not the answer?

Partial breastfeeding with supplements lowers suckling and allows earlier ovulation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Family planning: lactational amenorrhoea method in PSM. When any condition fails, another method must be started. It carries no cost or side effects and supports breastfeeding.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Family planning: lactational amenorrhoea method?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.