How Soon After Childbirth Does The Menstrual Cycle Return To Normal?

After giving birth, the mother’s body begins a process of recovery, during which the menstrual cycle begins to return to normal. It takes a while for the reproductive system to return to normal. During this time, a new egg is formed, which eventually sets in motion, while restoring the woman’s normal menstrual cycle.

This recovery period is considered to be a break in a woman’s normal menstrual cycle. Although bleeding for up to weeks may occur after childbirth, this is not interpreted as menstruation, but as bleeding caused by wounds that may have formed during childbirth.

The fact that the menstrual cycle does not start immediately after the recovery period is called the amenorrhea, i.e. the bleeding period. The length of amenorrhea always depends on the person and is influenced by, among other things, the mother’s decision between breastfeeding and feeding the infant formula.

Factors affecting the postpartum menstrual cycle

The uterus needs about three weeks to return to its normal position and size after delivery.

However, each mother is an individual, so the time it takes for the uterus to recover may vary. Moment by moment, however, our reproductive system is recovering. It is perfectly normal for the menstrual cycle to return to normal.

Mothers need time after giving birth to allow their birth organs and lower abdominal area to recover. In addition to this, the mother’s body may also be burdened by a new factor, namely breastfeeding the baby.

In a breastfeeding mother, it may take a little longer for the menstrual cycle to return to normal.

Breastfeeding mothers

Breastfeeding mothers may suffer from amenorrhea for longer than mothers using infant formula due to hormone shedding.

Prolactin, or milk hormone, is elevated in nursing mothers. This hormone produced in the pituitary gland affects the function of the mother’s ovaries, and thus breastfeeding affects the recovery of the postmenopausal menstrual cycle and how long it takes to recover.

The menstrual cycle normalizes in different people at different times. There are also cases where the mother’s menstrual cycle and ovulation have been restored already during breastfeeding.

Mothers using infant formula

Because milk hormone is excreted during breastfeeding as the major contributing factor to the normalization of the menstrual cycle, mothers who are breastfed usually return to the menstrual cycle more quickly than breastfeeding women.

Assessing the recovery of the menstrual cycle in women who substitute a surrogate is also more accurate than in women who are breastfeeding. In women who normally feed a surrogate, the menstrual cycle returns to normal as early as about ten weeks after delivery. If you are only feeding your baby a replacement, but your period has not started again three months after giving birth, you may want to talk to your doctor.

Other influencing factors

The way a baby is fed is a major factor in the normalization of the menstrual cycle, but there are other things to consider. For example, for first-time mothers, recovery may take longer.

It can also be affected by the amount of blood lost during childbirth, as the mother’s menstruation begins after childbirth. Genetic factors may also affect the situation.

Is the menstrual cycle really going back to normal?

The mother’s menstrual cycle finally returns to normal when the first menstruation begins after childbirth. It is likely that the menstrual pain and discomfort you experience will be milder after giving birth than before pregnancy.

The most important thing, however, is that you feel confident and the matter is clear to you. If you have any questions about your menstrual cycle recovery, talk to your doctor, gynecologist, or nurse. You can also get answers and tips from other mothers on questions that preoccupy your mind. Also discuss important issues with your spouse.