Condition
Breast Engorgement
Breast engorgement happens when the breasts fill with more milk than has been removed, causing swelling, pain and hardness, most often in the first days after birth when milk comes in. Lecithin and probiotics are the main supplements looked at, each with moderate evidence, though they were studied mainly for plugged ducts and mastitis rather than engorgement itself. A small serrapeptase study of 70 people found breast tenderness improved, but that evidence is limited.
- Supplements studied
- 1
- Graded outcomes
- 1
- Trials
- 1
- People studied
- 70
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breast Tenderness Small Improvement | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 70 people | |||
| Pain | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1 study | 70 people | |||
Key findings
- Breast TendernessImproves (the measure goes down)
The Breast Engorgement Support protocol
2 primary supplements · 6 supporting supplements
- Lecithin1,200 mg three to four times daily (can reduce once resolved)
- Probiotics1–10 billion CFU daily of lactation-specific strains
Studies cited
11 studies from PubMed
- The treatment of breast engorgement with Serrapeptase (Danzen): a randomised double-blind controlled trial
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing the efficacy and safety of paracetamol, serratiopeptidase, ibuprofen and betamethasone using the dental impaction pain model
- A multi-centre, double-blind study of serrapeptase versus placebo in post-antrotomy buccal swelling
- [Reduction of postoperative swelling. Objective measurement of swelling of the upper ankle joint in treatment with serrapeptase-- a prospective study]
- Comparison of the roles of serratiopeptidase and dexamethasone in the control of inflammation and trismus following impacted third molar surgery
- Evaluation of Serratia peptidase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized trial versus placebo
- [Clinical study of the efficacy of and tolerance to seaprose S in inflammatory venous disease. Controlled study versus serratio-peptidase]
- Effect of the proteolytic enzyme serrapeptase in patients with chronic airway disease
- A preliminary trial of serratiopeptidase in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome
- Effect of expectorants on relaxation behavior of sputum viscoelasticity in vivo
- The effect of an orally administered proteolytic enzyme on the elasticity and viscosity of nasal mucus