In general it is considered safe- with some Drs. following a "pump and dump" method - but because it is such an elective procedure, i would personally hold off having this done until you are no longer breastfeeding your child. There is absolutely no reason to add ANY unnecessary harm even though the risk may be very small.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Sclerotherapy treatment is not safe while breastfeeding. Wait until you are done to attempt this treatment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Sclerothrapy should not be done while breastfeeding.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

It is not safe. There are no data to show that the two FDA approved medications are indicated while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. And yes, these agents will be absorbed in small quantities in your glandular tissue. Hyptertonic saline is no longer FDA approved for sclerotherapy and while it does not contain any "chemicals," there is always the possibility of injection site leakage and ulceration, which could lead to mastitis. When you finish breastfeeding these veins will subside and then you can consider if this is in your best interest. In non-pregnant females, especially after breast augmentation, sclerotherapy is a worthwhile tool to consider in treating this cosmetic problem.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

It is best to wait until after your done breastfeeding.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

The drugs that are normally used for sclerotherapy in the United States are considered Class C drugs. This means that there are no formal studies looking at their safety in the setting of breastfeeding. The metabolic byproducts of the drugs are believed to show up in breast milk. Whether they are harmful to the baby is another thing. That said, why risk it. This is why we instruct our patients to pump and dump for a day or so. Otherwise, the efficacy is the same.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

We recommend waiting until weaned due to hormones. Many places will have you "pump and dump" to get you in for treatment. Pregnancy hormones dilate vessels. Be patient and let nature take its course.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Generally, most doctors wait until the mom is 6 months post partem to begin sclerotherapy, mainly because a lot of the veins that developed during pregnancy will improve of their own. When veins persist, then we proceed and ask those whom are breastfeeding to "pump and dump" for 24 hours after sclerotherapy. This is just safe without exposing the newborn to potential chemicals in breast milk. Your hormones should not have any significant impact on the effectiveness of the treatment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I would not recommend sclerotherapy while breastfeeding. The sclerosing solution most likely is out of your system within 8 hours, but I would be reluctant to do sclerotherapy on someone who is breastfeeding.

Published on Jul 11, 2012