Period - Laconia, NH

I didn't get my period for over 8 months when I had my first. I actually had the OB give me a birth control prescription so that I could take it to kick my cycles back in so that I could conceive my second!

Are you nursing? Breastfeeding can delay your period for 8 months or even longer for many women. After I weaned my kids, it took about 6 weeks to get my cycle back. If you are not, it definitely sounds like you should have gotten it by now. I think the reason nothing on the internet is concrete is that it really does differ for all women. Is there a chance you might be pregnant? That's the only other thing I can think of, being a non-medical person! Definitely call your doctor to rule out any imbalances in your hormones and your body, and go from there. It may require a little blood work. Good luck!!

Every woman is different. I didn't get my period back until a year after I had the baby with both of my sons (I was still breastfeeding at that point). If it is important to you that you don't get pregant again now, I agree with the other respondants that you should start the pill. On the other hand, if it wouldn't be the end of the world if you got pregnant, you could wait until your period returns and then start the pill. Do just keep in mind that you could get pregnant before your period comes back (if you happen to conceive just as your cycle is about to restart).

Unless you are trying to have a baby I would definitely use some sort of protection, as you can still get pregnant when nursing or when you haven't gotten your period.

i had that experience. I wasn't pregnant. Apparently my prolactin levels were just slightly elevated enough that I didn't get my period back for a long time after weening both of my kids. But, it started again eventually. I would recommend having your hormone levels checked, but it's probably just a minor thing.

I nursed all 3 of my kids and didn't get my period back for 2 years after the birth. Think about using an alternative form of BC like the diaphragm instead of the pill. There's no hormones changing drug involved and you just use it when you need to.

8 months seems like a long time to not get your period i know with my daughter after the birth i bled for about a week and then got my period again the next month, i would defanitly cal your doctor and speak to him

I worked for many years in reproductive health care, and I can't tell you the number of women who got pregnant before they got their first period post-partum. Even though you are not getting periods, it doesn't mean that you are not going to start ovulating or that you are not fertile. There is no way to predict when a woman will get her first period - there are so many variables, including but not limited to breastfeeding. Unless you would be happy to get pregnant again, you should use a reliable form of contraception. I'm not sure why you think the pill would make you start getting periods - nowadays there are many which are actually designed to give you a period only every 3 months, and many doctors don't think that is even necessary. I'd get some good advice from all these moms as well as a trusted gynecologist.

Are you breastfeeding? After my last child I didn't get my first period until I stopped breastfeeding him. Unfortunately that ended up being sooner than I had anticipated. I did go on the pill after having him though and it did not trigger a period. Everyone is different though which is probably why you can't get concrete answers about it. As much as I hate my period it is slightly reassuring to have it each month to know I'm not pregnant.

I was in the same boat as you are. What a joy huh! However, I needed to have my Thyroid medication increased. Not sure if you have any issues with that but I did.
Good luck

Are you nursing? If you are its normal some people don't get their periods until after they've weaned. If you aren't nursing I would definately call your dr.

Hi M. - I'd probably check w/ your OB. I was breastfeeding and didn't get my period for 3 months after I stopped--so about 10 months in total, which my OB said was normal.

Are you breastfeeding? I breastfed primarily and supplemented with my first and got my period when she was 11 months and I breastfed exclusively and got my period at 13 months with my second. It's totally normal due to hormones needed to produce milk.
If you are formula feeding exclusively - than you should check in w/ your OB

Hi M. - After my first child, my period did not return for ten months. With my second child, my period returned after 2 months (And believe me, I was disappointed to see it return after only two months!!! I believe my words were "Are you kidding me?")

I don't know how birth control interacts with your menstrual cycle post-pregnancy. I have read that nursing around the clock may delay the return of your period. For me, however, that was not the case - I nursed both kids and had different results.

Hope you find the info you are looking for,
T. Y
SAHM of almost 4 (9yrs, 7yrs, 19 months and 24 weeks pregnant with baby #4)

I would start the birth control if you don't want to get pregnant again, it may make you start your period, but wouldn't you rather have a period than a baby right now?? I started my period at 9 months after my first baby and I was breastfeeding until 10 months. So you could be getting it soon anyway.

Dear M.,
Have you considered that you may be pregnant again? If you have not started your regular birth control, and have not had a period in 8 months, It is entierly possible. I would at least take a pg test, and give the doctor a call. If it is negative, they may want you to start your pill to try to get back on a schedule. Good luck.