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Period after miscarriage – a small success in the fight for normality

Updated: January 28, 2022 5min. Author Paulina Pomaska

During pregnancy, the body – mainly due to hormones – turns upside down. And in the case of a loss of this pregnancy, it does not change position for a moment. It takes some time for everything to return to normal. The first symptom of this return may be menstruation.

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bow. Karolina Rasoul-Pelinska

Miscarriage (loss of pregnancy) is a very difficult moment in the life of every person who was expecting a child - not only for the person who carried the child in the womb, but for everyone connected to the family, dealing with the loss on an emotional and psychological level.

First period after curettage

It may or may not be difficult, but it will certainly be different than usual .

A person who has had a miscarriage – in addition to experiencing great grief over the loss of a pregnancy – must also face the physical consequences, i.e. changes in their own body. In a body that just a moment ago was mobilizing to maintain the pregnancy.

Statistics

According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 10 to 20% of all “intended” pregnancies end in miscarriage (as of July 16, 2019).

"Conscious" means those that the person knew about. This statistic does not include those who lost a pregnancy without knowing they were even pregnant.

What is a miscarriage?

During a miscarriage, the body tries to cleanse the uterus by expelling blood and tissue through the vagina. A miscarriage is most often associated with pain (in the case of early miscarriages, up to about 8 weeks, this pain is comparable to menstrual pain), as well as abdominal cramps and lower back pain. Some or all of these symptoms may last just a few days or even a few weeks.

Does abdominal pain during pregnancy mean a miscarriage has occurred?

Not always. Any pain experienced during pregnancy should be consulted with a doctor, as well as any bleeding during pregnancy . The decision regarding treatment is also up to him/her.

Please remember that consulting your health on the Internet (even in reliable sources) does not replace medical advice.

When does a period come after a miscarriage?

After a miscarriage, a period usually returns around 4 to 6 weeks later. The time it takes will vary depending on whether it was a spontaneous miscarriage or if there was a medical intervention, such as curettage (dipstick removal), which is done to remove any debris left inside the uterus.

The amount and length of your period after a miscarriage are also different for each person. For this reason, it is important to be under the constant supervision of a doctor. If you do not have a period 6 weeks after a miscarriage, the specialist will perform an examination during the visit and determine the cause. She may also prescribe medication to induce menstruation.

Very irregular periods that do not stabilize long after a miscarriage, as well as periods that have become more abundant, painful and make normal functioning difficult in subsequent cycles , require medical consultation .

A delay in menstruation after a miscarriage may be due to the gestational age at the time of the miscarriage (a delay is more likely if the miscarriage occurs late in the first trimester or later) or because the body has not cleansed itself sufficiently (waste from the miscarriage remains in the uterine cavity). Irregular periods may also be due to the stress associated with the miscarriage.

Ovulation after miscarriage

Ovulation, or the release of an egg, can occur as early as 2 weeks after a miscarriage. However, it can take 6 weeks or longer for both your body and your hormone levels to return to normal.

First period after miscarriage – what to expect?

Expect nothing (except that your period will eventually come after a miscarriage), because there is no rule or plan for how Mother Nature works .

The period after a miscarriage (both the first and the next ones) is often more abundant, longer and more painful for many people (lower abdominal pain, back pain or equally common breast pain). It also often smells different .

However, it also happens that after a miscarriage, menstruation becomes less abundant than it was before the loss of the child, and sometimes in terms of its volume, length and accompanying pain, nothing changes and remains exactly as it was, despite the hormonal revolution.

For some time after a miscarriage , your period may be irregular, and this will not change until your hormones are balanced. If your periods were irregular before you got pregnant, they often remain irregular after the miscarriage. In this case, it may take longer than the 4 to 6 weeks mentioned above for your body to get your periods back.

Important!

The following severe symptoms may be a sign of a serious infection, so you should consult your doctor immediately :

severe abdominal pain,
very heavy bleeding (soaking two pads per hour) or passing blood clots the size of a plum),
chills or fever,
diarrhea or pain when trying to have a bowel movement,
dizziness,
fainting,
foul-smelling vaginal discharge,
weakness.

Period after miscarriage – how to help yourself with physical pain?

To alleviate the discomfort associated with the first period after miscarriage, it is recommended to:

taking painkillers and antispasmodics (menstruation after miscarriage may or may not be painful),
using a heating pad or hot water bottle,
giving up tampons,
giving up having sex,
wearing a well-supporting bra made of soft material (in case of breast tenderness).

Miscarriage and recovery

It can take a month or more to fully recover from a miscarriage. It is a good idea to schedule a check-up with a doctor to assess the condition of your uterus.

In the event of a miscarriage, it is recommended to avoid sex for 2 weeks as a preventive measure against pain and complications. However, the greater need for closeness with a partner is understandable – it is worth consulting a doctor about your physical readiness for intercourse.

Additionally, each partner should give themselves time before deciding on their readiness for intercourse.

Some people take less time than others to recover from a miscarriage, especially if it occurs very early in pregnancy.

Is having a period a ticket to another pregnancy?

Not so fast. Rushing into such a delicate matter is not the best advice. It is good to wait, if only for the sake of the endometrium, which needs to rebuild.

We must not forget about mental preparation before getting pregnant again – because the body’s readiness itself (understood as the body’s ability to get pregnant) does not equal readiness in general.

Strong emotional events, especially traumatic ones, do not leave our psyche in the best of shape. Some people struggle with depression after a miscarriage. There may be overwhelming sadness, helplessness, and a sense of guilt.

Doctors say it is best to start trying for another child 3 to 6 months after a miscarriage. This is a time to regain mental balance, nurture your relationship with your partner, support each other, mourn and come to terms with the loss. It is also a time when you have the opportunity to learn the causes of the miscarriage, have the appropriate tests and minimize the risk of another loss.

Support is important

Because miscarriage is such a difficult experience for parents and those around them, some people feel uncomfortable talking about it. But getting accurate information is key to providing support .

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that early pregnancy loss occurs in at least 10% of pregnancies. While knowing these statistics won’t take away the emotional pain for those who have lost a child, knowing how many parents experience miscarriage can help you feel more comfortable reaching out for support or sharing your story, which can help you cope with your loss in the long run.

Some strategies that may help include:

joining a support group for people who have had a miscarriage,
reducing stress through breathing exercises, meditation and other relaxation techniques,
a visit to a psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist to get support and help (read about what it’s like at your first visit to a psychotherapist ),
taking extra time for rest and relaxation.