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Many women do not know, but it is possible not to menstruate during the entire period of breastfeeding! Yes, the hormones responsible for breastfeeding, oxytocin and prolactin , can prevent menstruation from falling normally. That’s when the worries begin …
The fact that the woman does not menstruate during breastfeeding, can bring the false feeling that she will not be able to get pregnant. Therefore, some women leave the cycle as it is, without introducing drugs that protect her from a possible pregnancy, even while breastfeeding. Even if this woman does not menstruate, it is possible that she does get pregnant, because ovulation will happen even before the first menstruation appears, this in the vast majority of cases. For recent parturients with 30, 60 days of delivery, it is ideal for her to talk to her doctor at the first consultation after the birth of her baby and to start contraceptive medication . This medication is exclusively based on progesterone which will not cause any problem to breastfeeding or to the baby.
Breastfeeding and menstruation are likely to live in harmony. Some women are able to have a normal menstrual cycle even while breastfeeding. It is not uncommon to see reports of women with little time after childbirth with the regulated cycle as before they became pregnant. In contrast, some women can go up to 2 years without menstruating .
They may have escapes or not, which is also normal for them to happen. All of this is the result of hormonal changes again. The amount of progesterone, estrogen, LH and FSH can vary greatly if combined with the presence of prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin, which is the official breastfeeding hormone, can block the growth of other hormones. Therefore, it is common to order tests for this hormone when the woman wants to get pregnant and is unsuccessful in trying. You need to check that this hormone is high enough to prevent others from functioning properly.
Therefore, it is important to remember once again, a breastfeeding woman may not menstruate, but may at any time start the ovulation process, have sex and become pregnant. Even more so when the breastfeeding process slows down. The woman who reduces feedings produces less milk and therefore less prolactin and oxytocin are stimulated.
How Is Menstruation During Breastfeeding?
Menstruation during breastfeeding, as mentioned earlier, may disappear for a while, but it is possible to menstruate one cycle and another not, or menstruate only sporadically. It is also possible for infants to have recurrent escapes during this period.
Lees, pale blood, pink blood and even small streams of living blood are possible. Even in women who take contraceptives continuously, specific to the breastfeeding phase , they may experience these leaks . They are a reflection of the hormones returning to their place after the pregnancy stage.
We must remember that pregnancy provided instability for 9 months and now needs an equal or longer time to adjust. It is also possible that this woman who gave birth, had the cycle changed. Some women have their periods during breastfeeding increased, reduced, the duration increased or shortened as well.
Before pregnancy, she menstruated in an average quantity for 4 days. After delivery, she may have a change to intense flow for 6 days or more! Of course, each case is different, not all of them suffer from these changes, but if they happen it is also normal. It is up to the doctor to evaluate each case and give the verdict of what to do.
Remember not to menstruate while breastfeeding is normal. Menstruation is also normal! It goes according to your body and how it will react to the change in hormones during this phase. Talk to your gynecologist and see the best way to deal with the situation.
A tip for moms who intend to have another baby or have a tempting friend. Did you know that Patricia Amorim in partnership with Famivita in partnership developed some products that help couples to get pregnant faster? Among them are the fertility vitamins FamiFerti and ViriFerti, the lubricating gel that plays a role in cervical mucus and ovulation and pregnancy tests. You can get them here in our online store .
See also: Initial Difficulties and Solutions for Breastfeeding
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
