The female sex hormones fluctuation throughout the menstrual cycle determines the frequency and the length of the menstruation. The normal menstrual cycle has quite a potential for fast restoration once the baby is born.
When breastfeeding, the hormone prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland. It suppresses at the same time the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and luteinizing hormone, both of which are needed for the normal menstrual cycle to be restored. Depending on the intensity of suppression of the mentioned hormones, egg release from the follicle or menstruation or both are suppressed, too.
How long it would take for the menstrual cycle to be restored is different for every woman. It depends most on the frequency of the breastfeeding as well as the length of breatfeeding meals. The production of female sex hormones follows a pulse pattern and therefore, has to be suppressed 24 hours a day for menstruation to be missed. Once the baby skips any of its meals (does not awaken at night so often), the menstruation might return completely.
You might want to visit your gynecologist for additional information about lactation amenorrhea (missing period when breatfeeding).
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