in I HAVE Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER)

Is DMER linked to an overactive letdown or oversupply?

Is anyone who’s dealing with DMER also finding they have a forceful letdown and/or oversupply? I was reading that a forceful letdown could be due to a strong reaction to oxytocin, as oxytocin is the hormone that pushes the milk out. DMER is thought to be caused by a surge in oxytocin suppressing dopamine, so I wondered if there is a link. I’ve spoken to friends who don’t even notice their letdown (and haven’t experienced DMER), but mine is very intense. As soon as my baby latches I get the overwhelming, awful emotions, then about 40-60 seconds later my breasts get tight and a feeling like electric shocks, then a second or two later the letdown happens and it’s very forceful. Less than a minute after the letdown the bad feelings go away. Sometimes, if I haven’t fed my baby for a while I’ll have a spontaneous letdown without him latching. I always know when it’s coming because I suddenly feel awful emotionally.

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I'm the opposite, undersupply and barely notice my letdowns, only know they happen at all because I want to cry/vomit very suddenly and only for about 1min.

@Carly oh that’s really interesting. There goes my theory. I’m just so interested to know why some people experience DMER. Only one person I’ve spoken to has even heard of it.

Hi @Hope thank you for joining us. You’re not alone. It sounds like a classic case of D-MER. From the resent research I’ve done, D-MER seems to have a spectrum from mild to severe symptoms. D-MER lacks awareness publicly and in the health field. If you go to our main group page I’ve posted some of the latest research on D-MER and reasons to why I’ve started this group. In addition participated in research for this condition due to having severe symptoms myself. 💜 and I had oversupply ✍🏽yes this might contribute to this condition!

I have over supply and a forceful let down but only ever experienced DMER when pumping, never when baby is on the boob!

Oversupply or Undersupply, it’s the let down and the combination of rapid change in hormones that causes the symptoms. Pumping or direct latching it’s still a form of let down. Also let down can happen at any time, this example I gave on my video, if my baby cries while driving I got let down and I would have all the symptoms of D-MER.

@Rebecca I wonder why. Maybe the closeness of your baby helps balance the hormones out when breastfeeding? I’ve just had my second baby and the DMER seems worse this time but he’s a much more effective feeder and I get multiple let downs each time he breastfeeds 😖 I haven’t pumped this time around and can’t remember if the symptoms were better or worse when pumping last time.

@Hope I think it must be something like that. I hate pumping too, just feels really clinical and mechanical to me so the aversion to it anyway probably didn't help!

@Rebecca pumping is so much worse for me, I almost wish it didn't exist as I would have given up bf months ago but now I'm stuck in a pumping guilt trip

@Carly @Hope @Rebecca I can relate pumping is horrible

@Carly it’s horrible. I’m so sorry to hear that though 😔 there shouldn’t be any guilt to stop!

@Claudia the worst!

@Rebecca I agree, it feels very clinical. I’m hoping I can avoid it as much as possible

Yes I have DMER and I have a heavier supply and a strong letdown.

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