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Amenorrhea: The Birth Control They Don’t Tell You About

Writer's picture: yolanda akinsyolanda akins





When I got pregnant with my surprise second baby, I was floored. I thought I had everything under control, I had recently weaned my oldest from breastfeeding and had finally gotten my first period back.Then BAM! Hello, baby number two! Turns out, amenorrhea had quickly packed up and left the building.

A recent conversation with a friend reminded me how little this topic is discussed, so let’s talk about amenorrhea—the natural phenomenon that can act like temporary birth control while breastfeeding... until it doesn’t.

What Is Amenorrhea?

Amenorrhea simply means the absence of menstruation. For breastfeeding moms, this happens thanks to hormonal shifts that suppress ovulation. It’s a lovely little perk—until you realize it’s not forever, and no one gave you the memo.

Once you stop exclusively breastfeeding, your body starts making plans—plans that can include a new tiny roommate. If you’re not prepared for that surprise, things can get interesting real fast.

Here are three little-known facts about amenorrhea that might save you from a “what just happened?!” moment like mine:

1. LAM Works... But There’s Fine Print

The Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) is 98-99% effective in preventing pregnancy during the first six months postpartum, if all conditions are met:

  • Nurse at least every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours at night. (Yes, even when you’re exhausted.)

  • Exclusively breastfeed—no formula, no solids.

  • Your baby must be under 6 months old, and you can’t have had a postpartum period yet.

Miss any of these steps, and LAM can quietly turn into “Look, Another Miracle!” This is exactly what happened to me. One returned light period—fertility was back in action.

2. Ovulation Likes to Sneak Up on You

Did you know you can ovulate before your first postpartum period? It’s like your ovaries are playing hide-and-seek, waiting for the perfect moment to catch you off guard. If you’re thinking, “I’ll know when I see my period,” think again. Ovulation often makes its grand return without so much as a heads-up.

3. Stress, Weight Loss, and Breastfeeding—Oh My!

Postpartum amenorrhea isn’t just about breastfeeding. Stress, significant weight changes, or even just the chaos of new mom life can delay or affect its return. In my case, I was juggling a lot: working in surgery, pumping often, enduring long commutes to and from work, and dealing with a lot of weight loss (I got down to 117 lbs!).

Looking back, I truly believe these factors delayed my cycle from returning. But when it finally did, it was like my body said, “Alright, time to get back to business!” I literally had one period before finding out I was pregnant again. Talk about a fast turnaround!

Why This Matters

Understanding amenorrhea is key to avoiding surprises (or planning for them, if that’s your goal). Breastfeeding can be a handy form of contraception for a while, but it’s not foolproof. And once your body decides it’s ready to roll, there’s no stopping it.

So, whether you’re trying to delay pregnancy or prepare for your next little bundle, knowing how your body works postpartum is empowering. Trust me, you don’t want to learn the hard way—like I did, staring at a positive pregnancy test with a baby still in diapers.

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