Background: Severe breast engorgement can cause substantial discomfort for mothers and interfere with an infant's ability to feed at the breast. The aim of the study was to clarify the possibility that the percutaneous progesterone-containing gel (Progestogel) can eliminate severe postpartum breast engorgement in lactating women.
Subjects and methods: Twenty three patients were examined. The Progestogel for transdermal therapy in an amount of 2.5-3 g was applied to the breast. Before application and 20 min after application the density of the mammary glands was measured by a tonometer.
Results: According to our observations, within 20 min application of 2.5-3 g of the Progestogel on the breast skin does not result in reducing breast swelling, engorgement and tenderness.
Conclusions: After 20 minutes, transdermal application of Progestogel does not reduce the degree of engorgement of the mammary glands in the postpartum period.
Keywords: lactation; postpartum engorgement.