The postpartum is like visiting a country you don’t know: everything is still to be discovered. It’s normal to feel tired, to face situations that overwhelm you, and to go through a small grieving process to make room for a new life. So many changes in such a short time! Your body also needs to gradually recover to its pre-pregnancy state, and that takes time. Don’t despair—everything will reorganize one way or another. The important thing is to focus on enjoying the moment . Among the changes that occur in your body is the return of your period after childbirth. It’s a gradual process, and its timing depends on each woman’s body and the feeding method chosen for the baby. If you’re wondering how and when your period returns after pregnancy and childbirth, and which situations aren’t normal, we explain it in this article. Don’t miss it!

Is it normal for your period to take time to return after childbirth?

One study from 2011 found that most women regained their period between 45 and 94 days after giving birth. Both timeframes are within the normal range. The return of menstruation varies depending on each woman’s physiological characteristics, but one factor is key: the level of prolactin . If you don’t know it yet, prolactin is the hormone involved in breastfeeding. After childbirth, production of this hormone increases, which inhibits the release of estrogen and progesterone. This causes the so-called “milk let-down,” and it will continue throughout the breastfeeding period as long as the baby or child suckles. When prolactin decreases, the menstrual cycle usually returns, so it’s common for it to come back earlier in women who do not breastfeed. In the case of breastfeeding, the return of menstruation after childbirth can be delayed from a month and a half to several years, especially when feedings are spaced out or there is a significant change, such as nighttime weaning or the introduction of complementary feeding.

The period should not be confused with lochia, which are vaginal discharges that occur after childbirth and last for approximately a month, containing remnants of pregnancy and the placenta. The type of bleeding is different, and at first glance, they can usually be distinguished: lochia change color (from red to brown, eventually turning pink and/or whitish), and their texture is more mucus-like. It is normal for women to experience some cramps when expelling lochia because the uterus is contracting to return to its usual size. If you’re unsure, remember that it’s advisable to consult your midwife or gynecologist ;)

What are the cycles like when menstruation returns?

The first menstrual cycles may differ from your cycles before pregnancy. For example, they may vary in terms of pain intensity : some women say they feel less menstrual pain after childbirth. The amount of flow can also vary; it is usually heavier during the first cycles and normalizes after some time.

After childbirth, it is also common to have irregular menstrual cycles . Women who are breastfeeding are more likely to experience irregular periods, as the hormones associated with lactation can cause the body to delay ovulation or ovulate infrequently. Over time, menstruation will return to its normal pattern. However, some women may have had irregular periods before pregnancy, such as those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis. In these cases, the irregularity may disappear or, on the contrary, persist as it did before pregnancy.

If you are concerned about pain, irregularity, or the amount of flow of your period after childbirth, do not hesitate to consult your midwife or gynecologist in case there is an underlying cause, but usually everything goes well.

What myths exist around menstruation after childbirth?

There are many legends and false beliefs surrounding menstruation, and menstruation after pregnancy and childbirth is no exception. You have probably heard some of the things we mention below, and if not, we’re preparing you for what people might tell you about the return of your period after childbirth. Are you ready?

• The absence of menstruation does not mean you cannot get pregnant: Normal ovarian activity can resume at any time after childbirth, so it is recommended to start using contraceptive methods immediately after delivery. Condoms, diaphragms, and non-hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) are the advised options for this period, ahead of hormonal methods. It is true that breastfeeding is often described as a natural contraceptive; this is known as the Lactation and Amenorrhea Method (LAM), but three factors must be present for it to be effective: the baby is less than six months old, the baby is breastfed on demand and exclusively, and the period has not returned. A study conducted by the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals found that 1 in 100 women became pregnant after having unprotected sex during the breastfeeding period. So yes, the chances are modest, but it can happen.

• The return of your period does not mean you should stop breastfeeding: If your period returns during breastfeeding, you don’t need to stop if you don’t want to. Remember that women have breastfed throughout human history while pregnant, having periods, facing difficulties, and living in very hostile environments, and they have had no problems raising their children. Menstruation has no impact on the taste of breast milk, nor on its quantity or nutritional quality.

• Not having a period does not increase the risk of osteoporosis: Some people still believe that breastfeeding and not having a period increase the risk of osteoporosis, a disease that weakens the bones. This is not true. According to experts, breastfeeding can be a health-protective factor for bones "Breastfeeding is beneficial for the mother, as it is a protective factor against osteoporosis, provided she carries out the first six months, as well as for the newborn, as it provides optimal linear growth."

Now that you know everything about the return of your period after childbirth, are you ready to enjoy this journey with your little adventurer?