What Is Vasospasm?

Did the title intrigue you? Are you clueless as to what that word is? I had not heard of the word vasospasm until I became a breastfeeding mom. So what is it?

A vasospasm occurs when the muscular wall of an artery suddenly contracts, causing the artery to narrow and thus reducing the amount of blood-flow through it. This issue can occur in multiple areas of the body. For moms who are breastfeeding, vasospasm can occur in the nipples. Ouch!

Symptoms of Vasospasm

Reading about a vasospasm gave me the impression that it is not a fun experience, and this was confirmed when it happened to me. Here are some of the symptoms you may run into (I hope for your sake you do not!).

• intense pain in the nipple – this pain is experienced just following a feed when your baby comes off of the breast, or as he latches and as your milk is letting down. It may feel like severe throbbing, burning or itching.
• nipple discoloration – the nipple changes colors (red, purple, blue or white) before returning to its normal color.
• lasting pain – pain that lasts in the nipple from a few seconds to a few hours at a time.

Pain in the early weeks of breastfeeding while your body adjusts to its new job is normal. However, if you are experiencing continued bouts of pain in the nipples even when your baby is latching and feeding well, you are likely experiencing vasospasms. Talk to you doctor or lactation specialist if you have concerns.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition some women have where vasospasm occurs more frequently and are unrelated to breastfeeding sessions. They can also occur in other parts of the body such as fingers and toes in response to cold. If you have Raynaud’s phenomenon, you may experience nipple vasospasm during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Causes

Believe it or not there are causes for nipple vasospasms. Some of these causes can be avoided, which may help reduce your experience with them.

• shallow latch – when your baby does not have an adequate amount of breast tissue in their mouth, or a deep latch.
• cold temperatures – Temperature changes from warm to cold can cause a vasospasm. An example could be when you have just gotten out of a hot shower, or you walk outside on a cold day.
• increased stress levels – we all know stress adds to our health issues, and that is the case with vasospasm.
• medical history – various health conditions can make a woman more prone to experiencing vasospasm including Raynaud’s phenomenon or various autoimmune diseases.
• Smoking – We know how bad smoking is for us and our babies. Even exposure to cigarette smoke without actually smoking can contribute to vasospasm. I highly encourage you to speak with your doctor about help quit if you are addicted to smoking in order to provide a healthier environment for yourself and your baby.
• various medications can contribute to vasospasm.
• Caffeine

How To Prevent and Treat Vasospasm

First, if you are looking to prevent vasospasm (who wouldn’t be!), take a look again at the causes. Several, including shallow latch, being cold, stress levels, smoking, medication and caffeine intake can all be adjusted depending on the situation. If you are experiencing vasospasm and one of these causes sticks out to you, maybe it is time for a change! If you are unsure how to make that change, talk with your doctor. Here are a few more ways you can avoid and also treat a vasospasm.

• gentle massage – using olive oil, gently massage the nipple during or in between a vasospasm. Gently squeezing the nipple during a vasospasm can help return blood to the vessels and speed up recovery.
• improve positioning and latch – if you need help with improving your positioning and latch during breastfeeding, reach out to your lactation consultant. If you do not have one, ask your pediatrician’s office for information on how to connect with one.
• Stay Warm – avoid cold temperatures, or bundle up if you are going out on a cold day. Put on a few extra layers or a sweater before going about your day. Just pay attention to feelings of becoming overheated.
• Hydrate and Exercise – keeping active encourages blood flow and may reduce the intensity and frequency of vasospasm.
• check your pump – if your flanges do not fit properly, damage can be done to your nipple tissue and increase your risk of vasospasm. Ask your lactation consultant for help if you are unsure how to check for proper flange fit. If you have the Elvie Stride pump, the app has a guide that helps you check for good fit. Read my review of the Elvie Stride pump here.

All in all, vasospasm is not fun. Unfortunately for many moms it is part of the deal during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The good news is there are several ways to relieve vasospasm, reduce the intensity and frequency and in some cases avoid them altogether. I hope these tips help improve your breastfeeding experience.