Endometriosis/period - changes after birth?

[Warren Dew]

Background: my wife has endometriosis. We had a baby (by IVF #4 after 3 yrs TTC) in June. My wife is breastfeeding. We'd like to have a second child, which we'd been assuming would require IVF again.

Before we can do that, my wife has to have a period again. The question is, what constitutes a period?

Prior to the pregnancy, my wife had what is apparently the standard period for endometriosis sufferers: extremely painful cramps followed by a very heavy discharge of dark red bloody stuff for up to a week.

Now she gets a reddish discharge for a few days, and there's a lot less of it. Her first warning is spotting; there are no cramps.

We're trying to figure out whether this is a real period, or just some suppressed version because of the breast feeding. So, some questions:

If you had endometriosis, then had a successful IVF pregnancy, was your period different afterwards? Do you think what we're seeing is a real period?

Is there anyone out there who has periods that don't involve cramps, whether or not you have endometriosis?

Thanks!

[sugabeanzs]

Was this past bleed right after the baby? Because women can bleed up to 6 weeks after the baby is born. I did not breast feed and got put back on birth control at my 6 week check up and now have a regular period again. I would say maybe do that for a couple of months to regulate her cycles then come off the BC. But I do not have cramps during my cycle...maybe back pain. But I also have a slight (very slight) cause of endo. (I am poly cystic mostly) and they found it during my c-section. They scraped my uterus while in there and I noticed that during my first cycle some of my uterine wall came off (TMI sorry) so I dont know if she had that either. But my advice is if it is after the 6 week bleed once the baby is born, it could be the first period. But I know with breastfeeding, some women do not get their period back until they are done breastfeeding but you can still get pregnant while BF.

[Warren Dew]

Well, she's had three cases that might possibly be periods. The first one was just a small pinkish stain three months after the baby. The second happened a month later, and was some bright red for a day or two. The third happened a month after that, and included dark reddish clots; it's more like what her period used to be like, except not as much of it. That third time was just a week ago.

Do people with light periods get pregnant? With periods that are pink or bright red instead of dark red?

[sugabeanzs]

I have never had heavy periods. I am sure it is possible! If she is bleeding on a regular basis like that it sounds like period to me! Ask her to ask her OB I am sure they can give her a better idea of what is going on. I think most periods go from heavy (somewhat heavy at least) the first couple of days bright red, then go darker and get lighter with the last few days ending just brown.

[wolffie]

warren dew -

i too have endo and had my son was born 6.5 months ago following successful IVF. i have also noticed a change in my period and endo symptoms since giving birth. i have had my period back for a few cycles and it is shorter but just as much blood. my cramping and pain is minimal compared to what is used to be. My son was born via c-section so not sure if they cleaned anything up when they were in there. I am breastfeeding so I wonder if that may be having an effect. I am sure that post baby hormones as well as breastfeeding hormones have been playing a role in the change in my cycles.

Best of luck!

dani

[charlie78]

Sorry to crash this thread!

Wolfie - when did you get your period back? I am breastfeeding and my baby is 9 weeks old, I never really stopped bleeding after delivery, it went very light for a day or 2 and now it is more and I am wondering whether or not this is my period - although I have no pain and I used to suffer really badly during my periods with my endo.
I thought you weren't supposed to get your period whilst breastfeeding?

Any input would be appreciated!

Thanks

Charlie

[wolffie]

hi charlie78 -

i got my period back around the time my son was 2 months old. (i don't remember exactly) I have also heard that you are not supposed to get your period back while breastfeeding but my doc told me that everyone is different. i have had my period back like clockwork since he was about 2 months. my doc was surprised since i am exclusively breastfeeding. luckily i don't seem to have the same symptoms of endo as i did prior to conception. i would say hardly any cramping.

hope that helped.

dani

[TammyS]

I am on a local mommy's group and they have all said (majority) that they dont get their periods while breastfeeding....and that it wont return till they are done breast feeding. I had to stop breastfeeding due to medical reasons and mine came back. It is likely she is experiencing break through bleeding and not a full regular period. I do not know if this means you can get pregnant or not naturally. I do think you have to be done breastfeeding before starting injections again for IVF #2, though. If I am not mistaken. Hope this helps. Good Luck.