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Missing Periods After Delivery, Partially Breastfeeding. Should I Consult A Doctor?

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Posted on Sat, 23 Mar 2013
Question: I had delivered my son through LSCS 4months back.
I had postpartum bleeding for 5 weeks and I got my first period within 12 days after 5weeks of post partum bleeding.
Since then my periods didn't return.
I am partially breast feeding him i.e I breast feed as well as formula feed right from birth.
What is the usual time for the periods to return regularly after delivery?
If I stop breast feeding and if my periods do not return is it normal?
Do I need to visit the doctor if it doesn't return after 6 months?
Till when can I wait?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nilofer AR (1 hour later)
Hello XXXXXXX,
Thanks for posting your query on health care magic.

Let me answer your query one by one.

1. What is the usual time for the periods to return regularly after delivery? Usually periods return back by 6 months after delivery. In exclusive breast feeding it may take 1 year as well.

2. If I stop breast feeding and if my periods do not return is it normal? No, it is not normal if your periods do not start after stopping breast feeding. But it rarely happens. 99% of women get back their periods after stopping breast feeding.

3. Do I need to visit the doctor if it doesn't return after 6 months? As long as you are breast feeding and not getting periods is normal. However if you stop breast feeding by 6 months and did not get your periods in next 1 month, you need to consult doctor.

4. Till when can I wait? You can wait till you are breast feeding. Once you stop feeding, you will automatically get back your periods. There is no need to worry.

Enjoy your motherhood.
Start on with post partum exercises. This is an ideal time to loose weight.
Be stress free.

Hope this solves your query. I will be happy to answer your follow up clarifications.
Feel free to ask.

regards,
Dr Nilofer

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Nilofer AR (1 hour later)
Thanks for clearing my doubts Doctor.
I have few more.
Is it normal to have irregular periods during breast feeding days?
Also I get white discharge and period like cramps sometimes is it an indication that I am going to get period soon.
or Is it normal to get white discharge though if I skip the period?

Few days back i.e 15 days back I got slight white discharge with itchiness around my vagina and my vagina was a bit dry,I consulted the Gynae she checked me physically and said there is no fungal infection as such but to reduce the itchiness she prescribed me Candid cl gel to apply externally for 7 days

However the itchiness got reduced around vagina but it shifted to inner thighs between genital and thighs(panty line) because of scratching there were minor cuts here and there and I returned to her again.

Now she checked and told me there is a fungal infection (however she didn't put her finger inside this time to check XXXXXXX inside)
This time she prescribed Fasigyn for 3 days(6 tablets),Fulcanozole for 4 weeks each tab once a week,candid cl gel to apply externallyand Abzorb clotrimazole powder to sprinkle after shower.

I am following the same since then ie approximately 10 days.
I need to take 2 more dosages of Fulcanazole still.
Itchiness has reduced to some extent ,but it does come on and off sometimes specially at nights.
Itchiness around vagina is subsided now.But 2 days before I noticed there was a jelly like thick white discharge coming out,it didn't smell and there was no itch later.

Is the outcome of discharge normal or else is it indication of infection?
I still didn't get my period,but I had slight pain in my lower abdomen like period/menstrual cramps.

Please do clear my query,whether or not I need to go for a checkup again.
Also to mention I didn't have intercourse right from my pregnancy till now.
I have not taken any birth control pills too.I am yet to talk to Doctor regarding Family planning and birth control atleast for 2 years.

Also I have some sharp pain very intermittent though on the stiches towards right side of my c-section and I have a tugging kind of feeling as if pulling from the stiches till my belly button.Is this feeling normal after the c section surgery or does it take some more time to heal?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Nilofer AR (30 minutes later)
Hi XXXXXXX.

Let me explain you in detail.

1. Is the outcome of discharge normal or else is it indication of infection? Since the discharge is not associated with foul smell or itch, it is completely normal. It is urually seen during lactation.

2. Please do clear my query,whether or not I need to go for a checkup again. You do not need further checkup. Continue with your medication till it is done. Itching in-between the thighs is usually due to continuous friction, moisture and weight gain(increase in size of thigh). So weight reduction will help you a lot. Keep that area dry. Use only cotton and loose fitting cloths.

3. Is this feeling normal after the c section surgery or does it take some more time to heal? Yes its completely normal after c/s. It takes minimum 6 months for it to heal completely. Do not lift heavy objects( more than 5 kg).

4. Is it normal to have irregular periods during breast feeding days? First few cycles are irregular because of hormonal imbalance. However it will regularize by 3 months on its own. Nothing needs to be done for that.

Hope this answers your query. Feel free to ask if you have further doubts. I will be happy to help.
regards,
Dr Nilofer
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Nilofer AR

OBGYN

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 828 Questions

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Missing Periods After Delivery, Partially Breastfeeding. Should I Consult A Doctor?

Hello XXXXXXX,
Thanks for posting your query on health care magic.

Let me answer your query one by one.

1. What is the usual time for the periods to return regularly after delivery? Usually periods return back by 6 months after delivery. In exclusive breast feeding it may take 1 year as well.

2. If I stop breast feeding and if my periods do not return is it normal? No, it is not normal if your periods do not start after stopping breast feeding. But it rarely happens. 99% of women get back their periods after stopping breast feeding.

3. Do I need to visit the doctor if it doesn't return after 6 months? As long as you are breast feeding and not getting periods is normal. However if you stop breast feeding by 6 months and did not get your periods in next 1 month, you need to consult doctor.

4. Till when can I wait? You can wait till you are breast feeding. Once you stop feeding, you will automatically get back your periods. There is no need to worry.

Enjoy your motherhood.
Start on with post partum exercises. This is an ideal time to loose weight.
Be stress free.

Hope this solves your query. I will be happy to answer your follow up clarifications.
Feel free to ask.

regards,
Dr Nilofer