In about eighty percent of the fairer sex, the menstrual cycle "returns to normal" after ten to twelve weeks after the birth of the baby, provided that they do not plan to breastfeed. In mothers who do this, menstruation returns to normal a little later - after about six months.
Often, young mothers are alarmed and confused by the appearance in the first weeks after the birth of the baby of red discharge from the genital tract. These substances are really visually similar to menstrual ones, however, they differ radically in composition. They are called lochia (discharge from the uterus). After the placenta is torn away from the uterine wall during childbirth, a fairly extensive bleeding zone forms on the latter. That is why the first time after birth there is a process of profuse bleeding - subsequently, the lochia from red turn into a yellowish-white discharge, in the end, their number decreases. Thus, menstruation during the period of feeding and excretion, characteristic of the first “postpartum” weeks, are two completely different phenomena that can occur in parallel.
Many are interested in the question of why menstruation occurs during breastfeeding. The fact is that the normalization of the menstrual cycle is a natural biological process, its pace depends on the speed of improvement of the hormonal background of the woman’s body after the birth of the baby, and his condition is affected by the way in which breastfeeding occurs. If the baby eats exclusively mother’s milk, then the menstrual cycle, as a rule, begins at the moment when the child is one year old. Specialists in this case say: "Menstruation during breastfeeding appears when the lactation period ends."
In the case when the child receives, in addition to breast milk, other nutritional options (the so-called complementary foods), then menstruation can occur before the end of lactation.
If the baby’s diet is combined (breast milk + complementary foods), then the menstruation during breastfeeding is normalized only after 90-120 days after the birth of the baby. The menstrual cycle after childbirth can be accompanied by pain. However, a certain part of women states: “Menstruation during breastfeeding does not cause pain and special discomfort.” Yes, it does. The fact is that the cause of pain during the menstrual cycle is the bending of the uterus, as a result of which the outflow of blood secretions is difficult. During childbirth, the uterus, of course, is in its natural position, at the same time, the order of the relative position of the abdominal organs becomes different, and the finding of the above “female genital organ” becomes more physiological. Because the pain is simply absent.
It must be emphasized that if menstruation began during breastfeeding, that is, it happened during lactation, then there is no reason to panic. There is also no need to think about breastfeeding. Very often situations arise when menstruation went on during breastfeeding, as a result of which the milk production in the mother's body decreased. You should contact a specialist and gradually introduce complementary foods.
