Does breastfeeding delay periods? Doctor explains the truth about fertility during lactation
Often, there are many questions surrounding breastfeeding, periods, and conception. Can you get pregnant while breastfeeding? Does breastfeeding delay periods? And is breastfeeding a natural form of birth control? With so many questions, it's easy for myths and misconceptions to take over. It becomes vital to be well-informed to get better clarity.
ALSO READ: 11 common breastfeeding myths in Indian families busted
Dr Swapnil Agrahari, Sr Consultant, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at SilverStreak Multispeciality Hospital, shared with HT Lifestyle a comprehensive explanation behind this connection between breastfeeding and fertility.
But first, he highlighted the benefits of breastfeeding and what it means for a mother's health. He said,'It also offers long-term health benefits for the mother by reducing the risk of certain cancers, such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer, and potentially decreasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.'
Does breastfeeding delay periods?
Breastfeeding can delay periods. (Shutterstock)
Often, new mothers who are breastfeeding observe a delay in periods. Dr Swapnil Agrahari elaborated on how breastfeeding affects fertility, causing a hormonal shift in the menstrual cycle. He confirmed, 'Breastfeeding can indeed influence fertility. When a mother breastfeeds frequently, especially within the first six months postpartum and without supplementing with formula or solids, it can suppress ovulation. This natural delay in the return of menstrual cycles is called lactational amenorrhea.'
Why you may still need contraception
But a delay in periods does not necessarily mean that it is a guaranteed form of natural birth control. Dr Swapnil Agrahari warned against this as well, as he added, 'For some women, this can serve as a temporary form of birth control. However, this effect is neither permanent nor guaranteed.'
This is a common misconception, but ovulation can begin again, increasing the chances of being pregnant. Dr Agrahari explained, 'What's often overlooked is that ovulation can resume before the first postpartum period appears. In other words, a woman may be fertile and capable of becoming pregnant, even if she hasn't had a single period after childbirth. This makes relying solely on breastfeeding for contraception risky if you're not planning another pregnancy soon.'
So, how do you know if your ovulation has returned and you might be at risk of getting pregnant, even if your periods haven't? Are there any signs? Dr Swapnil Agrahari confirmed that there are signs, even if periods haven't returned. He noted, 'By the time the baby is about six months old — or even earlier if night feeds decrease or solids are introduced — ovulation may resume, even if periods haven't returned. Given this uncertainty, medical professionals strongly advise considering additional forms of contraception.'
Dr Agrahari further recommended contraceptive options such as progestin-only pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), contraceptive implants, or barrier methods like condoms. He assured that these methods do not interfere with milk supply and can help new mothers take control of their reproductive choices during this transitional period.
So, it is important to be clear about the common myth that breastfeeding prevents pregnancy. It may delay fertility, but Dr Agrahari reminded that it cannot be used as a substitute for planned contraception.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Doctor-Engineer Duo Builds Purna AI to Detect Chronic Diseases Early
VMPLGurugram (Haryana) [India], August 8: Gurugram-based Dr. Gitanjali Ramchandani and Siddhant Minocha have developed a new AI technology designed to detect chronic diseases years in advance. Their platform, Purna AI, identifies over 75 clinical and sub-clinical patterns using blood biomarkers, key genetic mutations, and smartwatch going beyond standard diagnostic thresholds, Purna AI interprets subtle deviations and early trends that can signal the onset of chronic conditions such as metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, and several common types of cancer. The proprietary models are trained on large datasets and are tailored specifically for Indian biology and lifestyle factors.'The problem isn't just late diagnosis, it's missed opportunities," said Dr. Gitanjali. 'Our goal is to give people a chance to course-correct early in life, not after damage is done." Dr. Gitanjali, who holds an MBBS, Master's in Neuroscience from King's College, London, and a Master's in Nutrition Science and Policy from Tufts University, USA, is the Chief Medical Officer at Purna Minocha, a repeat founder and technology leader, brings his experience in building scalable AI platforms to healthcare. 'Our healthcare system is overburdened, and most people only engage with healthcare when something goes wrong. We're trying to reverse that by making early detection and management affordable and accessible."Purna AI is currently being piloted at their clinic on Golf Course Road in Gurugram, with plans to expand to 22 cities across India through a network of clinics. The team is also in talks with leading diagnostic labs and hospitals to integrate their engine into routine health checkups. Purna AI leverages HITL (Human-in-the-loop), and its results are validated by clinicians before being prescribed to patients or about their journey, Siddhant explained how his strong family history of cardiac disease motivated him to change his future. Faced with limited guidance from doctors, he decided to take control of his health and address his risk factors directly. This experience ignited his passion for preventive healthcare and inspired him to start building Purna the way, Siddhant met Dr. Gitanjali Ramchandani, a specialist in preventive healthcare with over 12 years of experience. Her research had focused on the link between nutrition and Alzheimer's disease, an insight now receiving growing recognition. United by a shared vision, Siddhant and Dr. Ramchandani joined forces to build Purna AI, aiming to create an AI-powered preventive healthcare ecosystem for chronic diseases responsible for over 53% of deaths in India and most diagnoses happening too late, this innovation could signal a vital shift toward preventive care that works. Purna AI can also enable effective prevention in rural and low-income areas, where a single healthcare provider is often responsible for managing multiple diseases with overlapping symptoms. With early pattern recognition and clinical insights delivered through AI, even resource-limited settings can benefit from timely interventions.(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Parenting in 2025? Add period education to your to-do list
Modern parenting must include period education. Here's why and how (Image: iStock) Most of us remember our first introduction to menstruation. Sometimes, it arrives in the form of a school session around Class 5, held behind closed doors in classrooms where boys are kept out and a video or lecture gingerly broaches the topic. Other times, schools gather the girls and show them a video where they explain what periods are and how to manage them. In hindsight, many wish it had been their mother who told them about it as it would have made it feel less alien. What stories from the ground reveal For most girls, mothers are the first and sometimes only emotional checkpoint. Yet in many Indian households, the subject is cloaked in silence or postponed indefinitely. Worse, some girls reach menarche with no prior information, left to navigate the confusion and fear alone. A young girl from Amgachi, Jharkhand, recounted breaking down in tears during her first period, thinking something was seriously wrong. 'I cried. I didn't understand what was happening to me. My mother explained it only afterwards.' The information the girls receive is often laden with caution. Periods are often treated as an alarm bell suggesting fertility, and, by extension, readiness for marriage. The mother's silence, often, is not a sign of apathy but anxiety. She may hesitate not because she does not care, but because she now sees her daughter as vulnerable to adult expectations. This perception is deeply entrenched. "I can't tell anyone. If my father finds out, he'll get me married," a young girl confided in an Anganwadi worker in Rampur Tribauna, Uttar Pradesh . Parenting fails without honest period education at home (Image: iStock) These observations come from a study conducted by Tata Trusts across villages in Gujarat, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, in an attempt to decode the sociocultural perceptions surrounding menstruation. Schools can't do it alone In recent years, a growing number of schools have begun addressing menstruation more proactively and even including boys in these sessions. While this shift from gender-segregated secrecy to inclusive awareness is a welcome step, these efforts remain largely urban. In an interview with TOI, Divyang Waghela, Head of WaSH at Tata Trusts, shared, "In rural settings, especially those with mostly male teachers, the topic of menstruation is either tiptoed around or avoided altogether. Some fear community backlash or a rise in dropouts. Sanitary pads provided for free too remain unclaimed because girls are uncomfortable collecting them in the presence of male teachers." Even the most well-meaning school sessions falter if not backed by conversations at home. Information, on its own, rarely shifts behaviour. A girl may learn about pads or menstrual cups in school but if her mother still refers to periods in hushed euphemisms, the stigma continues. Divyang Waghela highlighted, "What we see across the board are gaps; in knowledge, in comfort, in communication. Teachers are hesitant, mothers are uncertain and age-old myths conflate menstruation with womanhood or marriageability." Shifting the narrative at home Parents must stop outsourcing 'the talk' to schools. Even when myths are intellectually debunked, behavioural shifts depend heavily on family narratives, especially those led by mothers. Menstruation is not a sign of readiness for motherhood. It is a basic biological function or, rather, a 'lakshan' or indicator of health. Also, don't leave boys out of the conversation. Menstruation should not remain a secret language spoken fluently by half the population, while the other half avoids it, jokes about it, or learns it too late. Most Indian boys first encounter menstruation not through textbooks but through whispers, half-jokes exchanged behind school buses and backbench banter. That is how young boys can grow up with potentially harmful misconceptions. Parents, stop waiting for schools to teach periods. Your child needs you first (Image: iStock) Children are far more capable of understanding than we give them credit for. Parents routinely explain digestion, sneezes, even nightmares. Why not periods? The goal should be to create a home where a girl can say, 'I got my period today,' without feeling like she has confessed something scandalous. A home where fathers do not dismiss the topic and siblings respond without snickering or shame. It starts by making menstruation part of ordinary dinner table or bedtime conversation. Making it ordinary, not awkward The period talk does not need to be special, dramatic, or overly scientific. It just needs to be honest and free of shame. Start early and keep it casual. Talk about periods the same way you would discuss a headache, openly and without embarrassment. Parents should use everyday moments to bring it up naturally, whether it is something on TV or a question at the dinner table or grocery store. The challenge is not explaining the biology behind it. That part takes a minute or two. What takes longer and matters more is normalising the logistics. What is a pad? How is it used? What if a girl starts her period at school or during a swim class? Check your tone. Don't hesitate. If you sound awkward, your child may pick up on that discomfort and learn that periods are something to be embarrassed about. For boys, understanding menstruation means growing up to be sensitive friends, respectful classmates and supportive partners. For girls, it means entering puberty with confidence instead of confusion. So the next time your child asks a question, stumbles upon a sanitary product, or notices a stain on someone's clothes, do not shush them. 'Hey, that is just a period. It is normal. If that happens to someone, maybe you could offer them a sweatshirt or walk them to the bathroom. ' Offer them the language of empathy and understanding that they can carry for life.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
New steel ministry rules rattle medical device makers: Medical device makers seek BIS exemption; industry warns of system disruption
Representative image (AI-image) Medical product manufacturers face potential supply disruptions due to new steel ministry regulations, which require raw materials used in steel products to meet Indian standards. Industry leaders expressed concerns about their inability to comply with the latest rules that mandate BIS certification for imported raw materials like hot rolled steel and ingots. Previously, this certification was only necessary for finished steel products from foreign suppliers. Manufacturers have petitioned the steel ministry to exempt stainless steel capillary imports from BIS certification requirements. Several manufacturers interviewed indicated that importing specific steel components remains essential, as low annual requirements make BIS certification commercially unviable for international vendors, a sreported by ET. Hindustan Syringes & Medical devices, which relies on Korean suppliers for specialised stainless steel capillary tubes, faces operational challenges. "This is a low volume material hence making the BIS certification process is not feasible both economically and operationally. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You Might Want To Buy Baking Soda In Bulk After Reading This Read More Undo We have therefore requested the ministry of steel for exemption of the BIS requirement for the import," said Rajiv Nath, MD, HMD. The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) has warned of potential healthcare system disruptions in a letter to the ministry. "Despite efforts to source stainless-steel strip from local manufacturers such as Tata Steel , Jindal, BSL, Anil Metal, Stelco, and Mecon Limited, the required specification for manufacturing SS capillary tubing is not available in India as it is not sustainable or economical to produce small batches of tubing," the letter stated. "Manufacturing medical devices to global standards requires this specific stainless steel. Without it, the production, product quality, and delivery commitments, especially for exports, are at risk," the letter further noted. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays , public holidays , current gold rate and silver price .
