Postpartum Absence of Menstruation

Our body reminds us that it has an intelligent system. One of these reminders takes place during pregnancy. It is the biggest absence of menstruation in the body at the beginning and end of the pregnancy process. One of the first clues to knowing you’re pregnant, menstruation stops throughout your pregnancy, with ovulation stopping when pregnancy begins. This may continue even after pregnancy. Absence of menstruation can worry you, this is a perfectly normal thought. Let’s look at the causes of non-menstruation and irregularities after childbirth..

Why Aren’t We Menstruated?

Before moving on to the topic of not having a period after giving birth, it is useful to have information about the reasons why women do not have a period. Among these reasons; depending on your lifestyle, hormonal causes and congenital conditions in your body. Let’s take a look at these three reasons:

• Absence of periods due to lifestyle

Stress factor negatively affects our body and changes are seen in the body. Menstrual irregularity is one of the most common changes in women. By affecting your stress hormones, ovulation and menstrual bleeding may stop, as the hypothalamus transmits its signals to the hormones.

Low body weights will also affect the hormones ineffectively, making the menstrual period irregular and causing abortion. Make sure your body weight is in a healthy ratio.

Too much sports and exercise will also cause menstrual irregularity. Overexertion of the body, low fat and excessive energy expenditure will cause menstrual irregularity.

• Absence of periods due to hormonal imbalances

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common type of cyst in women. By changing hormone levels, it causes abortion and a painful process. Menstrual irregularity is seen when the thyroid glands work too much or too little. Experiencing early menopause will also cause infertility. Menopause, which is generally seen at the age of 50 and above, can be seen at much earlier ages.

• Absence of menstruation caused by problems in the structure of the body

In cases such as uterine wound, the uterine lining accumulates much less than it should under normal conditions, and in this case, shedding does not occur. Deficiency in reproductive organs will cause non-menstruation in congenital cases. 

When Does Menstruation Happen After Birth?

There are a lot of mothers who worry about abortion after giving birth. When does this worry end? Why not menstruation? We answer such questions for you.

After giving birth, the mother’s body will return to its prenatal state, but your period may be slightly longer. Although it varies between 8-16 weeks, menstruation will occur. But you don’t have to worry about this situation. If your baby suckles too often during the lactation period, you will not be able to menstruate again. Even if it is visible, there may be irregularity.

Your body can give you a signal when you are not menstruating. Let’s take a quick look at these signals:

• Swelling and pain in the breasts
• state of irritability
• Acne
• Headache
• Hair loss
• groin pains

Symptoms such as menstrual irregularity or amenorrhea are among the consequences.

What is the Cause of Absence of Menstruation After Childbirth?

We mentioned that our body is in a constant state of change according to the circumstances. The biggest change in the body during pregnancy is manifested by changes in your hormones and physical characteristics. Not having a period is one of these reasons. Scientifically, not having a period after pregnancy is directly proportional to the effect of breast milk. Prolactin hormone will put pressure on your reproductive hormone and will cause your menstrual delay with the milk it secretes.

Do I need protection after birth?

The reason for answering this question is the thought that you will not get pregnant because you do not have a postpartum period. Since the ovulation processes of people who do not menstruate after pregnancy, there will be no such thing as not getting pregnant. Remember that you will definitely need protection. Since your body is only in the recovery and adaptation process, menstrual delays and irregularities may occur. But you can get pregnant during this period.

How is the First Menstruation After Birth?

Since the postpartum body is out of a certain order, it may have some difficulty in returning to its former state. For this reason, your first period is seen with clots and intense. After this process, your first period may last 3-5 days with intense intervals. You may experience menstrual cramps in a way you have never experienced before. This is due to the disorder and the adaptation process of the body. In summary, the first postpartum period can be seen intermittently and intensely.

• Heavy flow
• A more painful process
• Irregular and intermittent cycle
• Blood clots

When Should I Go to the Doctor?

In this process, every woman’s period of irregularity and non-menstruation varies. It may mean that you will not have a period for much longer, especially if you are breastfeeding. Your period may return to normal after 3 weeks or 6 months. It totally depends on your body condition. For this reason, it will be useful to have regular check-ups with your doctor. You can see a doctor if:

• Too much menstrual bleeding
• Severe and sudden pain
• Hot flashes
• Severe headache
• Bad smell in the stream
• Difficulty breathing
• Pain and burning when urinating

If you have a very long menstrual period or an irregularly long period, we recommend that you see your doctor.

Bleeding After Birth Can I Have My Period?

If you had heavy bleeding after giving birth and perceived it as menstrual bleeding; Unfortunately, this is not menstrual bleeding. The condition you are experiencing is Lochia, which occurs in most mothers after giving birth. We can say that lochia is the state of your body removing harmful things from the body after birth. It is the expulsion of structures such as fat cells, placental remnants and dead uterine tissue. 

The blood, which is seen as very dense and red with fatigue and weakness, will become clear and sparse day by day. This should not be confused with menstruation. Using pads instead of tampons will be a healthier move for dead cells that need to be removed from the body.

We have compiled information and details about the absence of menstruation after birth for you. Absence of menstruation after pregnancy is a very normal and long process. Especially if you are a regular breastfeeding mother, it can take a long time to get your period. After this process, if there are differences and disease conditions in your body, we recommend that you go to a doctor’s control. Also, remember that while it is normal not to have a period, your eggs are still working and there is a possibility of getting pregnant.