Why am I not getting my period after stopping breastfeeding?

Understanding the Delay in Your Period After Stopping Breastfeeding
If you’ve recently stopped breastfeeding and are wondering why your period hasn’t returned, you’re not alone. Many women experience this phenomenon, and it can be attributed to several physiological factors.
The Role of Prolactin
During breastfeeding, your body produces higher levels of the hormone prolactin, which is crucial for milk production. Elevated prolactin levels can inhibit ovulation by suppressing the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. This condition, known as lactational amenorrhea, can delay the return of your period for several months after you stop breastfeeding. Essentially, as long as prolactin levels remain elevated, your body may not signal the ovaries to release eggs, which is necessary for menstruation to occur.
Ovulation and Hormonal Changes
Once you stop breastfeeding, your prolactin levels will gradually decrease, allowing your body to resume its normal hormonal cycle. However, this transition can take time. If you are not ovulating, your body will not produce the hormones necessary for menstruation, leading to a delay in your period. Factors such as stress, significant weight loss, or illness can further impact ovulation and contribute to irregularities in your menstrual cycle.
Individual Variability
It’s important to note that the timing of the return of your period can vary widely among women. Some may find that their menstrual cycle resumes within a few weeks, while others might experience a delay of several months. This variability is influenced by individual hormonal balances, overall health, and lifestyle factors.
What to Expect
For many women, periods may not return to their pre-pregnancy regularity immediately after stopping breastfeeding. It is common for cycles to be irregular at first, and it may take a few months for your body to find its natural rhythm. Keeping track of your cycle using a period tracker app can be helpful in monitoring changes and understanding your body’s patterns.
In summary, the absence of your period after stopping breastfeeding is typically a normal response to hormonal changes in your body. If you have concerns about your menstrual cycle or if it does not return after a reasonable period, consulting with a healthcare provider can provide personalized insights and reassurance.

Does breastfeeding delay return of period?

If you are breastfeeding, your periods may not return for months or even years after childbirth. It’s possible to become pregnant while you are breastfeeding. If you want to avoid pregnancy, talk to your doctor or nurse about safe contraception methods while breastfeeding.

How long does breastfeeding delay your period?

Most breastfeeding mothers will resume their periods between 9 and 18 months after their baby’s birth. Weaning your baby will almost certainly cause your menstrual cycle to return, but most people find that they do not need to wean in order for their cycle to gradually resume.

What are the side effects of stopping breastfeeding?

What’s more, when you wean, your body stops producing the feel-good hormones of oxytocin and prolactin. For some parents — especially if those who wean abruptly — this can increase feelings of moodiness, irritability, and sadness. For others, it can lead to something anecdotally known as post-weaning depression.

When should I be concerned about no period postpartum?

If this happens in the first few days following delivery, it could signal a potential uterus, kidney, or bladder infection. A longer delay in your period returning if you’re not breastfeeding. If you’re formula-feeding and don’t get your period by three months postpartum, talk to your OB or midwife.

Does amenorrhea mean infertility?

Is amenorrhea a type of infertility? No, amenorrhea isn’t a form of infertility. However, not getting a menstrual period can lead to not being able to get pregnant. If having a child is your goal and your menstrual cycle is irregular or absent, contact your healthcare provider for an appointment.

How long does it take for your period to come back after stopping breastfeeding?

Only around one-fifth of breastfeeding parents will get their period within six months of giving birth. If you are a breastfeeding parent, your menstrual cycle will return within one to two months after you stop nursing your child or start significantly reducing the amount you nurse.

What happens if your period doesn t come back after breastfeeding?

If you choose to breastfeed exclusively, your first period may not return for several months. For those who keep breastfeeding, it might not return for 1 to 2 years. There is no way to know if your periods will return the same way they were before you were pregnant.

How long can you go without a period while breastfeeding?

Also, some people have a non-ovulatory period before 6 months postpartum, but do not menstruate again for many months. According to The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (p. 364-366), almost everyone who is fully breastfeeding their babies will be free of menstrual periods for 3 – 6 months or longer.

What are the side effects of stopping breastfeeding suddenly?

If you stop breastfeeding quickly, your breasts might fill with milk (engorge) and get very uncomfortable. To prevent engorged breasts, you might need to express milk sometimes. Express just enough for comfort. If you express too much, it won’t reduce your milk supply and weaning can take longer.

Can stopping breastfeeding cause a missed period?

Your Period Might Be Different
For others, their period may return as they start to drop feedings. Either way, you may notice a few changes in your cycle once it resumes. Irregular periods are totally normal for a while, and having a late (or even missed) period isn’t unusual. Not to worry.