What is the meaning of lactational amenorrhea?

Options

A. Absence of menstruation
B. Delay in ovulation during lactational period.
C. Chances of conception are almost nil upto six months following parturition.
D. All of these.

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Lactation:**
- Lactation refers to the process of breastfeeding, where a mother produces milk to feed her infant.

2. **Defining Amenorrhea:**
- Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation, meaning a woman does not have her menstrual periods.

3. **Combining the Terms:**
- When we combine the terms, lactational amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstruation that occurs during the period of breastfeeding.

4. **Postnatal Infertility:**
- Lactational amenorrhea is also known as postnatal or postpartum infertility, indicating that after giving birth, while a woman is breastfeeding, she is less likely to conceive.

5. **Mechanism of Lactational Amenorrhea:**
- During lactation, hormonal changes occur that suppress ovulation, meaning that the ovaries do not release eggs. This leads to the absence of menstruation and significantly reduces the chances of conception.

6. **Duration:**
- The duration of lactational amenorrhea can vary, but it can last for several months, typically up to six months or more, depending on the frequency of breastfeeding.

7. **Conclusion:**
- In summary, lactational amenorrhea is a natural form of contraception that occurs during breastfeeding, characterized by the absence of menstrual cycles and reduced fertility.