What Causes Unusual Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding And Spotting After Discontinuing Breastfeeding?

Posted on Fri, 14 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 14 Aug 2015 Answered on

Fri, 4 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, I stpped breastfeeding when my son was 16 mos he is now 18mos. My period kind of came back when he was 9mos it was very heavy and lasted 7 days. Then I just spotted every month (I was still breastfeeding then). May was 1st period right after I weaned. It was heavy and longer 7 days and I had blood tinged mucus at the end. Next month a little lighter still mucus at end. July same now this month it's better and more like normal but still not totally normal. I started at 28 days just like before normal for 3 days then a skip day(normal for me) but now I'm on day 7 and still light spotting. Is this a normal pattern after breastfeeding for so long? I seem to remember them being 5-6 days before. This was my 4th c-section

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
In case persists for 3 months then get ultrasound

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mrs. XXXXXXX thanks for trusting health care magic.
It is common to have deranged periods for 3-6 cycles after stopping breastfeeding so all in all nothing much to worry.
Observe the pattern for a while and in case this spotting persists for more than 7 days for more than 3 cycles then get an ultrasound done as this pattern is also seen in uterine polyp or cervical erosion.
Also get a pap smear test done whenever possible.
All the best.
Regards
Dr Manisha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (3 minutes later)

You mean if it persists for 3 more cycles? I just had a Pap test in November and it was normal

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes wait for 3 more months

Detailed Answer:
Yes this flow of 7 or more days if persists for next three months then an ultrasound is must but most likely it will subside by then.
Usually it occurs because of hormonal imbalance after stopping lactation, as ovarian hormones start acting and this requires a little time to start in full bloom which was otherwise kept under check by pituitary hormones.
So most likely it will be fine soon.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (1 minute later)

Thank you very much!

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
welcome dear

Detailed Answer:
Welcome dear.
In case you have any questions in future you can contact me directly on http://bit.ly/drmanishajain

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar