Written by: Eva Zubec
After the nine-month pregnancy pause, most new mothers anxiously await when and how their first period will arrive. Sometimes it comes earlier, sometimes later, sometimes not with the regularity they were used to. How can we achieve harmony and how can we make it so that you can live comfortably with it again?
When will the first period arrive?
The very return of the cycle is often closely related to whether a woman breastfeeds her child or not. During breastfeeding, the hormone prolactin is released, which directly blocks the menstrual cycle. Breastfeeding moms get their periods on average 14 to 17 months after giving birth. However, the range is very wide both upwards and downwards - even with full breastfeeding, it is possible to get a period immediately after six months of pregnancy or even after the child's second birthday. If there are no health problems, there is no need to worry about the absence of menstruation.
Some women rely on the fact that if they do not menstruate, they cannot conceive. However, this is a myth that has been debunked many times and cannot be relied on 100%. Some sources state that if the baby is fully breastfed and regular intervals are followed, the chance of pregnancy in the first 6 months is very low. However, we recommend not relying on it and looking for other ways to protect yourself - for example, using the symptothermal method.
Cycle like a rollercoaster
It rarely happens that menstruation comes regularly after childbirth. You don't have to worry if the strength of the bleeding alternates or sometimes the cycle is skipped altogether. The hormonal system needs time to stabilize after the pregnancy and postpartum storm. If you've been awake all night with a baby in your arms for several months or you don't have time for a quality diet, it will probably affect the regularity, strength and even painfulness of your periods.
"Menstruation is a direct response to a woman's lifestyle. If she can rest, if she doesn't suffer from back pain or if she doesn't have other problems, for example after a difficult birth. If a woman is rested, satiated in all aspects and her body has enough energy, she will menstruate," says physiotherapist Pavla Filipová, whose practice you can find under named Fyziofemina.
Don’t forget your vitamins and minerals
It is never a bad idea to ask your doctor to perform blood tests and find out if your body is missing important substances - often iron for example.
During childbirth and then in the sixth trimester, when the uterus is wrapped, bleeding occurs, which can be directly related to the lack of iron. When you add to that frequent breastfeeding or getting up for a baby, exhaustion is in the world.
How to make your period more pleasant when you don't want a tampon or pads?
More and more women are abandoning traditional disposables and finding favor in sustainable options. These do not burden the environment and provide much more comfort during menstruation. One of them is i menstrual cup, which can be used repeatedly for up to 5 years.
Among its other advantages is that it does not dry out the mucosa. When you choose the right one, you don't even know about it during the day. "Compared to pads and tampons, on the surface of which bacteria begin to multiply over time, the menstrual cup is completely hygienic, because the blood in it remains clean until it is poured. Ours is also made of medical-grade silicone, which is gentle on the female body," says Anna Marešová, product designer of the Czech Whoop·de·doo cup.
You can consult your gynaecologist or physiotherapist about the suitability of using a cup. Give your body time to recover after giving birth and then try what works best for you. The Whoop·de·doo menstrual cup is available in two sizes, while the larger one is recommended for women after vaginal delivery. After insertion, you can wear it without the slightest care for up to 12 hours, sleep comfortably with it and take care of your baby all day long, without the restriction of your period in any way.