How Your Period Changes After Baby - And What You Can Do About It

A candid conversation about the postpartum period reality no one warned you about.

by Suzie W Devine, Founder & CEO of Binto

When I had my first baby, I remember feeling so relieved when my period finally returned after months of breastfeeding. We were trying to get pregnant again, and I wanted to try naturally after going through IVF for our first. I only had my period for a few months, and it felt very manageable. But when my second baby arrived, normal felt like a distant memory. Suddenly, I was dealing with periods that were heavier, more painful, and came with PMS symptoms I'd never experienced before.

If you're reading this and nodding along, you're not alone. The truth is, our periods often change significantly after having babies, and it's something we don't talk about nearly enough. As both a fertility nurse and someone who's walked this path personally, I want to share what I've learned about why this happens and, more importantly, what we can do about it.

Why Your Period Changes After Baby

First, let's acknowledge that your body has been through something incredible. Pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding create massive hormonal shifts that can affect your menstrual cycle for months or even years afterward. Here's what's happening behind the scenes:

Hormonal Rebalancing: During pregnancy and breastfeeding, your hormones are in a completely different state. When your cycle returns, it can take time for estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones to find their new rhythm.

Physical Changes: Your uterus has stretched and contracted significantly. Even after it returns to its pre-pregnancy size, the endometrial lining may behave differently, leading to heavier or more irregular periods.

Underlying Conditions: Sometimes pregnancy can unmask or worsen conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, or PCOS that were previously manageable or undiagnosed.

Age and Life Stage: If there was a gap between pregnancies or you had babies later in your reproductive years, natural aging processes can also influence your cycle.

My Personal Experience

After my second son was born, I felt blindsided by the changes in my cycle. I’d never experienced intense PMS, then suddenly, I was dealing with PMS symptoms that left me feeling like a stranger in my own body.

Having endometriosis certainly plays a role in my experience, but even women without underlying conditions often find their periods are different after having children. The key is remembering that different doesn't have to mean suffering in silence.

A Holistic Approach to Managing Period Changes

After years of helping women navigate fertility challenges and now experiencing postpartum period changes myself, I've learned that the most effective approach combines multiple strategies. Here's what's been working for me:

1. Embracing an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

• Inflammation can worsen period symptoms, especially for those of us with conditions like endometriosis. I've been focusing on:
• Omega-3 rich foods like wild-caught salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds to help reduce inflammation
• Colorful vegetables and fruits packed with antioxidants that support hormone balance
  Limiting processed foods and sugar which can spike inflammation and mess with blood sugar stability
• Supporting my gut health with fermented foods and plenty of fiber, since gut health directly impacts hormone metabolism

The goal isn't perfection - it's progress. Even small changes in how we fuel our bodies can make a meaningful difference in how we feel during our cycles.

2. Strategic Supplementation

As the founder of a personalized supplement brand, Binto, I've incorporated targeted supplements that support hormonal balance and reduce inflammation:

• Magnesium for muscle relaxation and PMS symptom relief
• Omega-3 fatty acids to combat inflammation
• B-complex vitamins to support energy and mood stability
• Iron when needed, especially given heavier periods

Remember, supplements should complement, not replace, a healthy diet and lifestyle. Always work with a healthcare provider to determine what's right for your specific situation. If you’re looking for supplements to help with hormone balance and period regulation, look no further!

3. Movement That Serves Your Body

Exercise has been crucial for managing my symptoms, but I've had to adjust my approach. High-intensity workouts during my luteal phase sometimes made PMS symptoms worse, so I've learned to:

• Sync my workouts with my cycle, doing more intense exercise during the first half of my cycle when energy is higher and then focusing on yoga and walks during my luteal phase.
• Focus on consistency over intensity - regular, moderate movement often beats sporadic, intense workouts for hormone balance

4. Choosing Non-Toxic Period Products

With heavier periods, I've become much more conscious about what products I'm using. Conventional tampons and pads can contain chemicals that may disrupt hormones or irritate sensitive tissue. I've switched to Viv’s:

• Organic products free from chlorine bleaching and synthetic materials
• Menstrual cups or discs which can be more comfortable for heavy flow days

These changes have not only felt better physically but have given me peace of mind about what I'm putting in contact with my body during an already challenging time.

5. Building a Healthcare Team That Listens

Perhaps most importantly, I've learned to advocate for myself and seek out practitioners who take period problems seriously. This has included:

• Working closely with my OB-GYN to monitor my endometriosis and explore treatment options
• Returning to acupuncture, which was so helpful during my fertility journey and has shown promise for managing period pain and PMS
• Adding a chiropractor to my team, as pelvic alignment can impact menstrual symptoms
• Considering functional medicine approaches that look at the whole picture of hormonal health

When to Seek Help

While some period changes after having babies are normal, certain symptoms warrant professional attention:

• Periods that are significantly heavier than before pregnancy and don't improve over time
• Severe pain that interferes with daily activities
• Cycles that are extremely irregular or unpredictable months after your period returns
• PMS symptoms that feel unmanageable or affect your mental health

Trust your instincts. You know your body best, and if something feels off, it's worth investigating.

Finding Your New Normal

Here's what I want you to know: your postpartum period experience is valid, whatever it looks like. Some women find their periods improve after having babies, others face new challenges, and many fall somewhere in between. There's no "right" way to experience this transition.

What matters is that you don't have to suffer in silence. Whether it's through dietary changes, supplements, movement, better products, or working with healthcare providers who listen, there are tools available to help you feel more like yourself again.

As mothers, we're so good at prioritizing everyone else's needs. But managing our own health - including our periods - isn't selfish. It's essential. When we feel better, we can show up more fully for our families and ourselves.

Your period may be different now, but different can still be manageable. With patience, the right support, and a willingness to experiment with what works for your unique body, you can find your way to a new normal that feels sustainable and empowering.

Suzie Devine is a women’s health and fertility nurse and the founder of Binto, the first personalized supplement brand for women of all reproductive life stages. Suzie is a mom to two young boys. You can book a one on one telehealth consult with her here.