If somebody comes to you and she has the pain, then you treat her. First, the symptoms can be treated by other means if they occur. According to the University of Rochester's Lawrence, who has written a book for physicians on all aspects of breast-feeding, nonprescription pain relievers such as acetaminophen seem to take care of women's discomforts. Second, except for two estrogen drugs that are only used for lactation suppression, all the other products will still be on the market. FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine.
Physicians are free to use approved drugs in any way they feel is medically necessary.
Lawrence adds that the risks of letting lactation end naturally seem to be close to zero. I think in some respects we've assumed that women would rather be medicated than experience any discomfort at all, and that is probably not true. Dori Stehlin is a staff writer for FDA Consumer.