The first period after birth is known as a postpartum period and it can look different for everyone. While it’s true that when you give birth, your periods will likely be the last thing on your mind, it can be helpful to have an idea of when they might return and when you need to begin birth control. This guide will give a general overview of postpartum periods so you’ll have an idea what to expect.

Symptoms of postpartum periods

Periods after birth may look different to those you experienced pre-pregnancy, at least at first. As your body resumes its menstrual cycle, you may have a range of symptoms, including some you’ve never experienced during your period before. Every postpartum period looks different though - some women may feel no changes to their periods, while others may complain of heavier bleeding or experience changes in mood.

Common symptoms of postpartum periods are:

Irregular periods
Cramping
Heavier periods
Small blood clots in your periods
Changes in your mood.

While you may experience heavy or painful periods after birth, it’s important to speak to your midwife or GP if you have any concerns about it, such as if:

Your blood clots in your period have lasted a week
You have much heavier blood loss than before
You’re passing large clots
You’re bleeding through your clothes
You have to change your period products more regularly.

If you are struggling with period pain postpartum, there are a couple of over-the-counter medications you can try such as ibuprofen and paracetamol. Alternatively, you can try Ultravana® Period Pain Relief Tablets which contain naproxen and provide long-lasting pain relief. It’s not recommended to take naproxen while still breastfeeding.

Tranexamic acid can be a good option if you’re experiencing heavy periods but if you are breastfeeding you should consult your doctor prior to taking tranexamic acid. Evana® Heavy Period Relief Tablets contain tranexamic acid and can help to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding by up to 60%.

How long is a postpartum period?

Much like pre-pregnancy periods, postpartum periods can vary in length from person to person and you may find your periods are shorter or longer than they were before. Typically, you bleed for two to seven days every 21 to 35 days. However, having irregular periods after birth can be normal, especially if your cycle returns while you’re still breastfeeding. A menstrual cycle is considered irregular if it’s shorter than every 21 days or longer than every 35 days. However, if you are concerned about the duration of your menstrual cycle or periods after you give birth, you should seek advice from a healthcare professional.

When will my period return postpartum?

Everyone is different so it’s hard to predict exactly when you’ll have periods postpartum. Part of this can depend on if you're breastfeeding. Those who bottle feed their babies or combine it with breastfeeding can see their period return around five to six weeks after giving birth. If you exclusively breastfeed, it can come back as early as around four to five months or as late as 24 months after birth.

However, you can become pregnant again just three weeks after giving birth even if you’re breastfeeding and your periods haven’t returned yet.

If you want to avoid another pregnancy, make sure to use contraception within 21 days of giving birth if you’re having sex. It’s a good idea to check with your midwife or GP to find out what contraception you can use as some methods may need to be avoided. For example, if you have had a c-section, a blood transfusion, pre-eclampsia or postpartum haemorrhage, you may be at higher risk of a blood clot so certain contraceptive methods aren’t recommended. If you’re breastfeeding, there are also certain contraceptives that aren’t suitable so it’s important to choose one that is appropriate for lactating mothers.

The difference between postpartum bleeding and a postpartum period

After you give birth, you will bleed from your vagina. However, it’s important to know that this isn’t your postpartum period. Known as lochia, this bleeding happens whether you have a vaginal or c-section birth and comes from where the placenta was attached to the womb.

Lochia generally lasts around two to six weeks after giving birth but should stop by 12 weeks. Initially, it may be quite heavy so you will need super-absorbent pads. You shouldn’t use tampons as this increases the likelihood of infection. At your six week postnatal check, a healthcare professional will let you know if you can use tampons again. Over time, the bleeding should start to decrease, turning a brownish colour, until it stops. If it doesn’t stop after 12 weeks or you’re losing blood in large clots, make sure to contact your midwife or GP.

As mentioned above, it can be normal to experience a heavy period post pregnancy but this isn’t the same as lochia. Postpartum periods, like your pre-pregnancy periods, are part of the menstrual cycle, meaning your body is going through menstruation and ovulation. There is no period immediately after birth - your next bleed following lochia will therefore be your first postpartum period.

For further help and information about postpartum periods, make sure to ask a healthcare professional. You can also get in touch with us if you have any questions about the period relief we offer.

Menstrual Health Products

Do you suffer with disruptive periods?

Our menstrual health products are designed to provide effective relief from heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and period pain, helping you to get on with your life.

Evana Heavy Period Relief Tablets and Ultravana Period Pain Relief Tablets are easily accessible both online and from a range of pharmacies without the need for a prescription.

Explore our website to find out more about our period medicines.

Find relief from HMB
Buy Evana
Find relief from painful periods
Buy Ultravana

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