Before I got pregant with my daughter, my periods were always heavy. Its a family trait. However, after I had her, and breastfed only, my period was always light. I had no moodiness or bleeding through my pajamas...wonderful! Well, I breastfed for 2 years and 2 months ago stopped. When my breast quit producing the milk, my periods have started really heavy, and now every 3 weeks, not 4. Has anyone else had this situation before? I have an appointment in three months, I just want to ask. Its hard waiting.
I really appreciate all the responses. To address Stella, when you don't have private insurance you aren't a priority. I recently lost my medical insurance and medicaid turned me down so i have had a hard time getting an appointment. Also, its just a checkup at my request. The flow of my period is not abnormal, it was like this before I got pregnant. What is scaring me is it coming in 3 weeks for the past two months. Thats exactly when I stopped nursing my daughter. I hope to get in earlier to see a doctor, its unfortunate about our healthcare system. I wish we were like Canada, payed higher tax but all had healthcare!
First I must say do not believe breast feeding will keep you from getting pregnant, its a myth, simply not true!!
My friend had a problem with heavy bleeding and getting it close together, and after getting an IUD it solved her problem.
Your periods should have resumed as normally as they were before you stopped bf'ing. It sounds as though they have. why don't you call your doctor and request to be seen earlier, you seem so distraught.
You have great taste in Earl Grey tea. The caffiene could be increasing the flow however. Just a thought.
my mid-wife told me that if you breastfeed exclusively, no bottles, or binkies, then that will actually keep you from becoming pregnant, so no period, usually for up to six monthes but after two years, i'm sure you have introduced other foods...
I'm pretty sure the breastfeeding caused you to have lighter periods. It was even a common thought decades ago that breastfeeding was even a form of contraception! (my mother-in-law warned me that it was not.......to my surprise. I've never heard that before) :)
Good luck!
A.,
I am also on the Mirena. And it is God-send when it comes to light to no periods. But if you don't have insurance right now, that is probably not the solution for you. It is very expensive. Have you tried calling your doctor's office and asking to speak with a nurse. Most (or all?) offices have a nurse that takes and returns patient phone calls. I suspect she won't have much to tell you. It sounds like you are just starting to cycle back into your periods. It can take a while for your body to get back into a normal cycle. But you should call and talk to a nurse, if you haven't already. If nothing else, maybe it will ease your mind.
How regular were your periods before you got pregnant? Were you always right at 4 weeks? Mine were all over the map... sometimes 42 days in a cycle, sometimes 22. And after you stopped breastfeeding, yours are likely to take a little time to become regular again. Breastfeeding releases hormones, and any change in your hormones (or lack of hormones) can affect your menstrual cycle. Give it a little bit of time to regulate. I know it is a pain (I've always had heavy flows myself, so I know), but chart exactly when you start, what kind of flow you have, etc. You might see it correct itself (or a pattern that might be your new normal) before your doctors appointment. If not, they will find the information helpful in addressing whatever is going on.
I usually don't reply to medical questions posted on this site. What's with your doctor having you wait three months for an appointment? Don't they have a nurse who can give you a bit of advice?
Hope you are feeling ok, and not in pain. I'd call the office again and get in asap.
Blessngs, S.
Yep, been there. Talk to our doc about getting the Mirena if you will be using a birth control. I got it in April and hardly have a period at all anymore. You can remove it when you are ready to get pregnant again, or leave it in for up to five years with no complications. It have far less hormones than the pill and is only a few minutes in the office to have it inserted. Made a world of difference from my 9 days of 4-5 pads to a panty liner for 3-4 days. Everyone I know who has it after 6 months doesnt get a period at all and everyone who has it that I know of is absolutely thrilled, including me. Good luck
