How Your Period Changes After Pregnancy

After giving birth, your menstrual cycle often looks and feels different than it did before pregnancy. Your body goes through massive hormonal, physical, and reproductive changes during and after pregnancy — and that includes your period.

Whether your periods come back within weeks or take months depends mainly on whether you’re breastfeeding and how your body adjusts after delivery.

Here’s what to expect when your period returns postpartum and why it may look different than before.

When Your Period Returns After Pregnancy

If You Are Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding triggers the production of prolactin, a hormone that stimulates milk production. High prolactin levels suppress ovulation, meaning you likely won’t have a period while you’re exclusively breastfeeding.

On average, your period returns six to nine months postpartum, though it can vary widely.

According to OB-GYN Dr. John Thoppil, “[Prolactin] suppresses the pulse-like release in brain hormones that orchestrate ovulation.”

You may also use breastfeeding as a form of natural birth control through the lactation amenorrhea method (LAM), which is effective under these conditions:

• You are exclusively or nearly exclusively breastfeeding

• You are less than six months postpartum

• You have not resumed menstruation

LAM can be up to 98% effective, but ovulation may still occur unexpectedly.4

If You Are Not Breastfeeding

If you aren’t breastfeeding, your hormones balance out faster, and ovulation may return within four to six weeks after giving birth.

Research shows ovulation can occur as early as 25 days postpartum, though most people ovulate closer to 42 days postpartum.5

That means you can technically become pregnant before your first postpartum period—so talk to your healthcare provider about birth control options if you’re not ready for another pregnancy.

How Your Period May Change After Pregnancy

Once your menstrual cycle returns, don’t be surprised if it’s different from what you were used to before pregnancy. Some people experience heavier, longer, or more painful periods, while others notice lighter or irregular ones.

Heavier Periods

After childbirth, your uterus is larger, and there’s more endometrial tissue (the inner lining of the uterus) to shed. This can lead to heavier flow, longer periods, or more cramping.

According to Dr. Thoppil, “A larger uterine cavity after childbirth causes more endometrium to shed.”

Lighter Periods

Some people experience the opposite—lighter or even absent periods—which can sometimes signal complications such as:

• Sheehan’s syndrome, when severe blood loss damages the pituitary gland6

• Asherman’s syndrome, when scar tissue forms inside the uterus

Both conditions are rare but can interfere with normal menstruation and fertility.

Other Factors That Influence Postpartum Periods

Your postpartum periods may also change due to:

• New birth control methods: Hormonal IUDs or pills can make periods lighter or stop them altogether.3

• Age-related changes: As Dr. Thoppil notes, periods often shift naturally as you get older.7

• Breastfeeding pattern changes: As you reduce nursing frequency, ovulation may restart, and your period may gradually normalize.

Can You Get Pregnant Before Your Period Returns?

Yes — and this is a common surprise for many new parents.

Because ovulation happens before your first postpartum period, you could get pregnant without realizing your fertility has returned.1

OB-GYN Dr. Mary Jane Minkin explains: “Some women can get pregnant immediately, even with exclusive breastfeeding.”

If you’re sexually active and not planning another pregnancy right away, talk to your healthcare provider about safe birth control options, such as condoms, hormonal methods, or an intrauterine device (IUD).

When To Talk to Your Doctor

It’s a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider if:

• Your periods are extremely heavy (soaking through a pad in under an hour)

• You have severe pain or large clots

• Your period hasn’t returned within nine months postpartum (and you’re not exclusively breastfeeding)

• You notice sudden irregularity or long gaps between cycles

Your provider can help rule out underlying hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, or uterine scarring.

A Quick Review

Your period after pregnancy may be lighter, heavier, or more irregular than before.

• If you don’t breastfeed, your period may return within 4–6 weeks postpartum.

• If you breastfeed exclusively, it might take 6–9 months (or longer).

• You can get pregnant before your first period, since ovulation happens beforehand.

Each person’s recovery timeline is unique — if you’re unsure about your postpartum cycle or want to discuss contraception, consult your healthcare provider.