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What Causes Heavy Vaginal Bleeding Postpartum?
Hello, Im having odd vaginal bleeding. I am now 8 months postpartum, and my periods have always ranged from light to heavy, and I usually dont have periods on time. Ive been bleeding for a little over a month now, and it started light, but now its a heavy flow and im passing a lot of small, stringy clots. There is no discharge, just blood. I will have light cramping, but it happens about every other day. Is this bleeding normal? Is it pointing to something serious?
Tue, 13 Dec 2016
Hello Dear. It is common to have irregular periods for sometimes once menstruation commences following child birth. The irregular periods are due to hormonal changes which are normal.
To give you some explanation in detail:
Periods may become unpredictable after birth of your baby. You cannot know for sure when you will get your first period after childbirth – it may be within 6 to 8 weeks of delivery or as late as after 6 months or more. It is normal to find the menstrual cycle becoming irregular and the bleeding heavier than before. The cycles may be of shorter or longer duration and you may even skip a period. The length of the period can be longer or shorter too.
Menstruation may become painful (dysmenorrhea) even though you may not have had such complaints previously, or they may be accompanied by symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) such as swelling of the body, nausea, dizziness or emotional changes a few days before periods.
Treatment
Pregnancy and childbirth cause a number of hormonal changes. It takes time for the body to get back to normal. However, treatments to regulate hormone levels, such as birth control pills, may help get things back to normal in non-breastfeeding women. Women who are breastfeeding should not take oral contraceptives, the NHS warns. If delayed postpartum hemorrhage occurs, treatment of the cause stops abnormal bleeding.
Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you.
All the best
With warm regards
Dr Sanjay Kini
To give you some explanation in detail:
Periods may become unpredictable after birth of your baby. You cannot know for sure when you will get your first period after childbirth – it may be within 6 to 8 weeks of delivery or as late as after 6 months or more. It is normal to find the menstrual cycle becoming irregular and the bleeding heavier than before. The cycles may be of shorter or longer duration and you may even skip a period. The length of the period can be longer or shorter too.
Menstruation may become painful (dysmenorrhea) even though you may not have had such complaints previously, or they may be accompanied by symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) such as swelling of the body, nausea, dizziness or emotional changes a few days before periods.
Treatment
Pregnancy and childbirth cause a number of hormonal changes. It takes time for the body to get back to normal. However, treatments to regulate hormone levels, such as birth control pills, may help get things back to normal in non-breastfeeding women. Women who are breastfeeding should not take oral contraceptives, the NHS warns. If delayed postpartum hemorrhage occurs, treatment of the cause stops abnormal bleeding.
Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you.
All the best
With warm regards
Dr Sanjay Kini
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