What should I do if my period is delayed during breastfeeding?

Many new mothers often ask: After ten months of pregnancy and giving birth, during the breastfeeding period, will the menstrual period come back to see us immediately? uncertain. In reality, most new mothers (especially breastfeeding mothers) have delayed ovulation and menstrual recovery after giving birth, and some do not have their period until a year later. So what are the reasons for delayed menstruation during lactation?

1. Estrogen is suppressed during lactation

The main thing for a new mother after giving birth is breastfeeding, and the body will also undergo corresponding changes. During breastfeeding, as the body's lactogen increases, the secretion of estrogen in the new mother's body will be suppressed to a certain extent, and the uterus and ovaries are insensitive to the stimulation of pituitary gonadotropin. Therefore, under normal circumstances, there is no ovulation and no menstruation during breastfeeding.

2. It takes time to repair ovulation after childbirth

Theoretically, the shape of the uterine wall tissue will change after giving birth. Generally, the ovaries have basically recovered 33-42 days after giving birth and can ovulate normally. In addition, the presence of progesterone after ovulation can also be observed 6 weeks after giving birth. Therefore, if the new mother does not breastfeed, the menstrual period usually comes within 6 to 8 weeks after giving birth. Scientific research data show that 40% of pregnant women who do not breastfeed resume ovulation 6 weeks after giving birth; by 8-12 weeks after giving birth, only about 35% of pregnant women have not resumed ovulation and menstruation. For breastfeeding pregnant women, about 25% will resume ovulation and menstruation 12 weeks after giving birth, and most breastfeeding pregnant women generally take until 18 weeks to resume ovulation function.

3. Postpartum hemorrhage ≠ real menstrual period

New mothers need to note that the first menstrual-like vaginal bleeding after delivery is not the menarche. In fact, by accurately measuring the ovulation temperature of pregnant women at this time, it can be found that 60% of them are not ovulating. Strictly speaking, it is anovulatory menstruation, which cannot be called a real menstrual period. The bleeding and duration of menstruation are more than normal menstruation, and the menstrual cycle is also irregular. Therefore, many mothers will experience menstrual disorders for a period of time after giving birth.

Finally, I have to remind all sisters that even if you haven’t returned home during your menstrual period while breastfeeding, don’t be careless and have sex without safety precautions! According to a survey, half of women who become pregnant during breastfeeding become pregnant before their menstrual period resumes. Because it is possible for new mothers to get pregnant even if they do not have their menstrual period during the confinement period, this is because women do not ovulate. And many people begin to ovulate before their menstrual period ends!