Does breastfeeding make you bleed more period?

Understanding the Connection Between Breastfeeding and Menstrual Bleeding
Breastfeeding is a profound experience for many new parents, but it also brings a host of questions regarding its effects on the body, particularly concerning menstruation. One common inquiry is whether breastfeeding can lead to heavier menstrual bleeding once periods resume.
The Impact of Breastfeeding on Menstrual Cycles
Breastfeeding significantly influences hormonal levels in a woman’s body, which in turn affects the menstrual cycle. During the initial months postpartum, many women experience a phase known as lactational amenorrhea, where menstruation is suppressed due to the frequent nursing of the baby. This suppression occurs because breastfeeding inhibits the release of hormones necessary for ovulation and menstruation. As a result, many breastfeeding mothers do not see their periods return until they begin to wean their babies, typically between 9 to 18 months after childbirth.
When menstruation does return, the experience can vary widely among women. Some may notice changes in their menstrual flow, including increased bleeding. This can be attributed to the hormonal fluctuations that occur as the body transitions back to its pre-pregnancy state. However, the extent of this change is highly individual. Factors such as the frequency of breastfeeding, overall health, and individual hormonal responses can all play a role in how heavy or light a woman’s period may be after childbirth.
Does Breastfeeding Cause Heavier Periods?
While some women report heavier periods after resuming menstruation while breastfeeding, this is not a universal experience. The relationship between breastfeeding and menstrual bleeding is complex. For some, the hormonal changes associated with the return of menstruation can lead to heavier bleeding, while others may find their periods are lighter or more irregular.
It’s also important to note that breastfeeding can affect how often a woman experiences her period. For those who continue to breastfeed frequently, periods may remain lighter or less regular due to ongoing hormonal influences. Conversely, as breastfeeding decreases, the body may experience a more typical menstrual cycle, which could include heavier bleeding for some women.
Conclusion: Individual Experiences Vary
In summary, while breastfeeding can influence menstrual cycles and potentially lead to heavier periods for some women, experiences vary widely. Factors such as breastfeeding frequency, individual hormonal responses, and overall health all contribute to how menstruation manifests after childbirth. If concerns about menstrual bleeding arise, it is advisable for individuals to consult healthcare professionals for personalized guidance and support.

Do you still ovulate while breastfeeding?

How does breastfeeding affect fertility? Women who aren’t breastfeeding may ovulate (release an egg) as early as 5 to 6 weeks after the birth. However, if you’re breastfeeding, your hormones don’t return to pre-pregnancy levels until much later, and this delays ovulation and the return of periods.

Why am I getting my period back while breastfeeding?

If your first postpartum period returns earlier than expected while you’re breast feeding, one reason could be if you’ve stopped breastfeeding overnight. If your baby is sleeping through the night before the age of 6 months, this may cause your period to return earlier than normal which can affect your milk supply.

Can breastfeeding change your period?

Once your periods return, they may be irregular to start with if you are still making milk (lactating). It’s not unusual to skip a period, or even for it to be a few months before your next one.

Why did I start my period while breastfeeding?

If you have lower levels of progesterone, you’re likely to get your periods back earlier than people with higher levels (Ingram et al 2004). So it’s possible that you could be breastfeeding around the clock, but still become fertile and start your periods again.

Can periods be worse after having a baby?

Some women experience heavier, longer or more painful periods after having a baby. These changes may relate to a larger uterine cavity causing more endometrium (mucous lining the uterus) to shed. For some women, however, their periods improve.

Why are periods heavier after having a baby?

Some postpartum people will have heavier, longer, or more painful periods than before. A larger uterine cavity after childbirth causes more endometrium, the tissue lining inside the uterus, to shed.

Does breastfeeding cause you to bleed more?

Does breastfeeding make a difference to the bleeding? Bleeding is redder and heavier just after breastfeeding or expressing milk, as breastfeeding makes the womb contract . However, the overall amount of blood will be the same if breastfeeding or not. Stronger ‘afterpains’ cramps might also be felt while breastfeeding.

Is bleeding heavier after breastfeeding?

You may notice the bleeding is redder and heavier when you breastfeed. This happens because breastfeeding makes your womb contract. You may also feel cramps similar to period pains. The bleeding will carry on for a few weeks.

Can breastfeeding make your period heavier?

Changes to your cycle
Some women have longer, more painful or heavier periods after having a baby, while others find their periods improve. It is common for the first few periods to seem different (lighter, heavier, shorter, longer or irregular).

Why am I pouring blood on my period?

For many people, heavy periods have no cause. For others, it’s due to a health condition such as fibroids, adenomyosis or endometriosis. You may be experiencing a heavier than ‘normal’ period if you’re: bleeding through your clothes.