Irregular Periods After A Miscarriage: 7 Things To Know

Miscarriages are quite a common occurrence among women and normally aren’t a major cause of concern. Miscarriages are not just emotionally draining for a woman but also physically affect her body. One of the most prominent effects of a miscarriage on a woman’s body is an irregular menstrual cycle.

Either the flow may be very heavy, or the periods may be absent for a while. It is important for all women to be aware of the changes in their menstrual cycle after they experience a miscarriage. Irregular periods are a very discomforting experience for any woman and are not a thing to worry about. But unpredictable menstrual cycles after a miscarriage can be a matter of concern.

Most women begin to ovulate within the first two months after a miscarriage but even if your periods are irregular, it does not necessarily mean that you won’t be able to conceive again. There are various other factors that can affect your periods. Here is everything that you need to know.

1. It Is Normal To Miss Your Period Post A Miscarriage

In some cases, women may not have periods even a month after their miscarriage but this is nothing to worry about. The body goes into a healing mode post a miscarriage and requires time for the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone to get cleared from your body as it returns to normal (1). It approximately takes four weeks for the first period to appear once your hCG levels are nil.

It is normal to bleed for around a week right after a miscarriage and it gradually leads to spotting and stops. Once the bleeding and spotting stop, your hCG levels will ideally return to baseline, i.e. zero. Some women may miss their periods and get their first period only after seven weeks. This happens because your body is trying to revert to its regular hormone levels.

2. It Is Normal To Have A Second Stage Of Bleeding

Bleeding usually stops soon after the miscarriage and could be followed by heavy bleeding a week or two later. However, this is not a second menstruation or period, unless it has occurred after a gap of at least 20 days. Nevertheless, this ‘second period’ is normal after a miscarriage and occurs as a result of your body attempting to expel the remaining part of the placenta from the uterus. This kind of bleeding may last for a handful of days and normal spotting will resume soon.

3. It’s Also Common To Have Irregular Periods If You Had It Before Pregnancy

Women with irregular periods before pregnancy will experience the same even after a miscarriage. But if you got your periods at the same time each month and experience an irregular cycle after a miscarriage, you must consult your OB/GYN. In order to regulate your cycle, they may prescribe you with birth control pills or a hormone called ‘progesterone’, to cleanse your uterine lining (2).

4. Weight Fluctuations May Affect Your Period

Extremes in weight, such as being obese or underweight, usually lead to irregular periods (3). The factors that affected your menstrual cycle before pregnancy may recur even after a miscarriage. It is a normal process that your body follows to get back to normalcy.

Obesity in women of reproductive age leads to a lot of complications during pregnancy and is associated with an increased risk of infertility. Studies also indicate that both obesity and underweight are associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion (SAB) (4).

5. Heavy Flow After A Miscarriage Is Not Normal

If you always had heavy bleeding even before pregnancy, then it is normal to experience the same 20 days after a miscarriage. But if the heavy bleeding continues for more than two weeks after a miscarriage, you may need to consult a doctor immediately as there may be three factors of concern:

• The continuous blood loss may make your body weak and make you fall ill.
• This may result in a ‘molar pregnancy’, a condition during which your body produces excess hCG (5). It may also cause you to bleed for some months and your hCG levels may reach 500 or higher.
• Unusually heavy bleeding may also be as a result of a portion of tissue getting stuck in your reproductive system.

6. Hormonal Imbalances May Cause Irregular Periods

Although it takes a month for your periods to get back to normal after a miscarriage, you must consult your doctor for irregular periods. Irregular menstrual cycles indicate a hormonal imbalance, which may be because your body is taking longer to recover or due to an underlying health condition (6).

7. It Could Also Happen If You Have Residual Tissue Or A Clot In The Uterus

If a miscarriage occurs within the initial few weeks of your term, it appears and feels similar to a regular period. A miscarriage in the sixth or seventh weeks of pregnancy resembles a heavy period. But if you miscarry in the 10th or 11th week of pregnancy, it may take longer for your uterus to expel more tissue and maybe even some placenta.

If you experience abnormally heavy bleeding even after a few days, it may be an issue in the uterus and you may need to get an ultrasound done to find out if there is a clot or tissue in the uterus.

Miscarriages are very common among women of a reproductive age and there is no factor in particular that may cause them. It is important for women to adapt to healthier lifestyles and maintain a healthy weight in order to avoid any complications during their pregnancy. Bleeding after a miscarriage is normal but if it prolongs too long, it is advisable to consult your gynaecologist immediately.

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