Hormones After Weaning From Breastfeeding


Most women expect to have some challenges while breastfeeding. What mamas don’t expect is to have crazy hormones after weaning from breastfeeding!

And, unfortunately, this topic is not discussed nearly as often as other breastfeeding-related subjects. Many women are completely unprepared for the tidal wave of hormones that hits them during and after weaning from breastfeeding.

Hormones After Weaning from Breastfeeding

I am writing this post as sort of a “Chapter 2” to my most popular post, PMS Symptoms While Breastfeeding: The Phantom Period.

The fact that so many mamas are gravitating to this topic tells me that you all are having the same struggles I have with mama-related hormones. And now you are trying to find answers about what is “normal” to experience with your hormones after weaning.

So let’s talk about what can happen with those hormones after weaning … and the fact that you may need to let go of the idea of “normal” for a while.



My Experience with Hormones After Weaning

Let me first clarify that I have not yet fully weaned my daughter. I day-weaned her eight months ago, and that is when (most of) my hormonal chaos began.

My daughter has always been a frequent nurser. Up until her sudden and shocking lack of interest at 21 months of age, she nursed as often as a newborn – roughly every hour and a half during awake times and repeatedly during sleep times.

Read about what ecological breastfeeding is in this post.

So I suppose it should not have come as such a surprise to me that suddenly going 5-7 hours twice a day without breastfeeding was a pretty major shift for my body. But I was not expecting the level of hormonal madness that ensued.

The first three days of day-weaning were horrible. Physically. Emotionally. Hormonally. I just felt rotten all over. I have never experienced anything else like it. For more details on that intial weaning experience, read this post I wrote in the midst of it.

On the fourth day, I literally felt the cloud lift from my mood and the heaviness lift from my body. Take heart if you are still in the intensity of the weaning process, Mama. It does ease up.

Woman in the clouds.
I felt the cloud lift from my mood and the heaviness lift from my body on day four of the partial weaning process.

However, the crazy hormones were far from over.

For about five months following the partial weaning, I had almost continuous mensturation-like cramping, sore breasts, low energy and other various PMS symptoms.

At one point, four months post-partial-weaning, I thought I was finally at the end of the unpredictable hormones when I had a very light, very short period. It lasted three days and mainly consisted of spotting, which meant I likely had not ovulated prior to that period.

As a positive sidenote, I did not experience much cramping or discomfort while on my period.

I was hopeful that finally having a period meant I would have a regular cycle. However, hormones are notorious for objecting to any form of balance.

I continued to have PMS symptoms for a few weeks following this first period. Then things finally settled down enough that I didn’t feel like I was constantly PMSing. But in the coming weeks and months, I also did not have another period.

It was nice to not be feeling quite as hormonally crazy. But I was also really curious to see if and when I would have another period. I had read various stories from women who went every other month without a period or had three, four or even six month stretches between periods after the return of their cycles while still breastfeeding.

Eventually I did get another very light, very short period – pretty much identical to my first – almost four months after my first postpartum period. Leading up to it, I had cramping for about a week that let me know it was coming but gave me no way of knowing when it would come.

Tampons
I got my second period almost four months after my first postpartum period.

Once again, fortunately, the period itself was virtually painless and easy.

Unfortunately, that was two weeks ago as of this writing and I have once again been experiencing quite a few PMS symptoms since then.

So, I suppose the best way to sum up the past eight months for me is to say that constantly changing hormones have been my close companions.

What is so Frustrating About Post-Weaning Hormones

Something motherhood seems to be trying to teach me over and over is how unpredictable life is … and hormones in particular. This unpredictability of my hormones is what really gets to me. I just want to know what is going on with my body.

And it drives me completely insane when I can’t know.

Can you relate, Mama? Maybe you are having this frustrating struggle right now. Are you searching the web, reading other moms’ stories, trying to predict how your body will respond to weaning from breastfeeding?

I’m going to be honest with you, Mama. The hormones after weaning can be really difficult. And they might not regulate for a while. Especially if, like me, you have only partially weaned.

I’ve had a lot of hard days and weeks these past eight months. I’ve utterly exhausted myself at times trying to calculate where I might be at in an invisible cycle that always seems immanent but never appears.

It is frustrating dealing with hormones after weaning because you expect to be able to know your body again once you’re done constantly sharing it with someone else. But you may actually find that your body struggles to remember what normal is for a long time.

Woman laying in bed not feeling well.
You may find that your body struggles to remember what normal is for a long time.

It’s also very stressful and disheartening to have an irregular or absent cycle after weaning when you are hoping to get pregnant – especially if this was the reason you weaned in the first place. Many moms wean for exactly this purpose, so if this is you, just know that weaning may not instantly make you fertile.

Read my post on trying to conceive while breastfeeding.

What I’m about to say is so much easier said than done, but it is essential when dealing with hormones after weaning: Learn to wait. Learn to be okay with not knowing what’s going on with your body. Let it go. Find a new focus. Get your mind in a different place.

Because hormones after weaning can be brutally cruel and they pay no attention to the calendar. You cannot assume anything about what your body might be doing now or will be doing in the future.

What to Expect From Your Hormones

So what should you expect from your hormones after weaning? My simplest answer is: Absolutely anything!

Trust me, I know how consuming it can be to wonder, when will I have my first postpartum period? Will my cycle be regular? Will I be fertile right away? How long will these unpleasant PMS symptoms last?

As much as I wish I could answer all of those questions for you, the fact is, every woman is unique and so is her body. I can’t give you a schedule of events for the next few months, but here are some possible symptoms that may be completely “normal” to experience for several months following weaning:

  • You might feel like you are on your period for weeks at a time. You may get cramping, nausea, headaches and foggy brain for a day and think Aunt Flo is surely on her way to pay you a visit only to be left hanging when she never shows.
Girl on bed holding stomach in pain.
You might feel like you are on your period for weeks at a time.
  • You might suddenly realize you just don’t feel as happy as you did pre-weaning. You might be irritable or anxious. Some women develop something that feels very much like postpartum depression.
  • You may have some strange, seemingly unrelated symptoms such as heart palpitations. I had heart palpitations for about a week beginning a couple weeks after our partial weaning. After some googling, I discovered other mamas had this symptom during or after weaning as well.
  • You might have some sharp shooting pains in your breasts for a few weeks. And you may randomly have sore breasts for months without any apparent connection to a period or ovulation.
  • You may experience intermittent pelvic pain or discomfort. For me, this sometimes feels similar to what I experienced toward the end of my pregnancy with my daughter – something I never had pre-pregnancy.
  • You may develop a vaginal yeast infection/overgrowth. I had what felt like a yeast infection somewhere around a month or two post-partial-weaning, but it cleared up on its own within a week.
  • You may be certain the disturbing smell of food and the motion-sick feeling in your head are exactly how you felt when you were pregnant. But two weeks and 4,967 cheap pregnancy tests later, you are obviously not with child.

Find out how to take a pregnancy test without all the stress here!

  • You may gain weight due to hormonal shifts, appetite or metabolic changes, and consuming extra calories during mood swings.
  • You may struggle with regret. Particularly if you and/or your child were not completely ready to wean, you may be so unhappy with the way your body is behaving that you wonder if it was worth it.
Sad women with chin propped in her hand.
You may be so unhappy with the way your body is behaving that you wonder if it was worth it.

Although it can be normal to have all these symptoms and more after weaning, please talk to your doctor if something is concerning you as I am not a medical professional.

How to Deal with Hormones After Weaning

Mama, these hormones after weaning are capable of doing some strange things. If it’s a long, rough ride back to normalcy for you, grab yourself some guilt-free dark chocolate and take this as an opportunity to work on some things. Allow this trying circumstance to fine-tune your patience or motivate you to pursue a new hobby.

I know that sounds like an oversimplification of the emotional rollercoaster hormones can take you on. It’s hard, no doubt about it. There can be awful days sometimes. But allow me to encourage you with the positive side of hormones after weaning.

Sometimes the hard stuff pushes us to do some things differently. Sometimes the awful days lead us to realizations about ourselves. And sometimes we even come out a better person – still full of imperfections, but also wiser, more empathetic, and perhaps with a clearer vision for who we really want to be.

In my own journey thus far post-partial-weaning. I look back at those initial five months of hormonal uncertainty and feel a mixture of emotions: Aversion. Guilt. Grief. Depression. Relief. Accomplishment. Blessed. Thankful. Clarity. Peace.

Each of those emotions have a multitude of stories, but I’ll spare you the details and instead let you process your own stories. What is this moment in time trying to teach you? How might you grow from it? What are the positive outcomes that might occur as a result of this experience (even if the experience itself is not a positive one)?

Now those are the kinds of questions that will truly benefit you to ask. Focus on improving yourself inside and let your body do its thing to get regulated, however long it takes.

A mom holding her child.
Focus on improving yourself inside and let your body do its thing to get regulated.

I know there are days when it is just downright depressing. I know you are frusrated. I know you hate how you treated your family during one of many mood swings this morning. I know you feel like your body is malfunctioning.

But there are a couple of things I want you to know too: You are not alone and this is temporary.

Get help if you need it. See a doctor if you have concerns about your physical or mental health. But be encouraged that these hormones are not unique to you and they are not your permanent identity.

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Hormones After Weaning from Breastfeeding


20 responses to “Hormones After Weaning From Breastfeeding”

  1. Chelsea Nguyen Avatar
    Chelsea Nguyen

    I have 2 children. my oldest is almost 11. she self weaned at 10 months when I was 22 years old, and I don’t remember having a terrible hormonal uproar. Fast forward 8 years layer and my son was born when I turned 30. he nursed for 2 and 1/2 years but began to dramatically reduce on his own. I began breaking out with acne (never a problem I’ve had in my life) had changes in vision, horrible depression and anxiety, etc. so I decided we needed to fully wean and give my body a chance to rebalance. Following a full wean, I’ve had horrible exhaustion, nausea, acne that still won’t go away, night sweats, etc. It has been so discouraging feeling like after a month and a half of this journey, I’m not improving at all. Coupled with mourning the loss of that closeness, and accepting that my little boy is growing up and establishing more independence. It has been so hard. Thank you for sharing your own story, and bringing encouragement to other mama’s.

    1. Marissa Khosh Avatar

      Chelsea,

      Thank you for sharing your experience. I am so sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time following the weaning of your son. It is really hard to lose that closeness and having the physical struggles on top of it can be so frustrating. There is a special bond with breastfeeding that cannot be replaced by anything else and the emotional aspect of losing that is hard enough without all of the other hormonal upheaval. I totally understand the discouragement.

      I recommend looking into maca powder to help rebalance your hormones. It is a vegetable grown in the Andes Mountains in Peru and it is amazing for helping with hormones. I have used it a number of times for depression and low energy especially, but it is an adaptogen, so it naturally balances whatever hormones in your body need to be balanced. But please note that I am not a medical professional and you should do your own research and speak with your doctor about it.

      Ultimately, time helps with both the emotional and the hormonal aspect and things will get better. But if you can find something natural to help your hormones rebalance, that will really help you get to feeling better all around.

  2. Ashley Walsh Avatar
    Ashley Walsh

    Thank you for this article!!! I found it to be so helpful!!!! I stopped breastfeeding about a month ago and my symptoms just started this past week! I have a lot more clear (ovulation like) discharge, lots of pelvic pain, low energy, and my back and knees have been bothering me. I went to the OB last week for an exam cause i can’t figure out this pelvic pain! It’s feel like constant pressure and achy like my period is coming and then nothing! So insane! I am so grateful for this article! I appreciate you!!!

    1. Marissa Khosh Avatar

      Ashley,

      I am so glad this post has helped you! It can be so confusing trying to figure out what is going on with your body during or after a major hormonal change. I don’t think anyone ever talked to me about the changes that can happen as a result of weaning from breastfeeding. It should be talked about more! Women are often obsessively prepared for breastfeeding by hospitals, care providers and lactation consultants, but no one prepares us for the end of breastfeeding. Once we know what is going on, it can ease our minds so much to know that it is “normal” to have all these symptoms.

    2. Sara Avatar
      Sara

      I am dealing with this right now. I partially weaned/cut down my breastfeeding and I have looked up every terrible thing on the internet like ovarian cancer, cysts, etc. etc. because I can’t figure out this pelvic pain, increased ovulation like discharge, abdominal/back cramps that feel like a period. I am hoping it is just my hormones! I see the Dr. on 9/26.

  3. Mel Avatar
    Mel

    This has been the best article! I have been day weaning for several months, not consistently either, some days my girl will go all day without nursing, especially if it’s a busy day like a trip to the beach. Other days she is like a little baby again refusing to eat, just wants to nurse… she’s 2 & 1/2… I got my period 5months post partum & it’s never been regular (before pregnancy it was 28 days every time) for the last 8months I’ve been spotting in between my periods along with abdominal cramping.. I assume from google it to be endometriosis.. more recent, I’ve developed two yeast infections in 3 months.. the worst ones I’ve ever had at that! Before I maybe hav had two in my whole life and as a result of taking prescribed antibiotic.. but these recent ones hav just happened on their own.. I’ve known my hormones have been totally out of whack , but this article has helped to understand just how it’s played the cause/effect role in these other issues

    1. Marissa Khosh Avatar

      Mel,

      I am so glad you have found this post helpful! Yes, hormones can be so unpredictable while breastfeeding and especially during weaning. And it’s so confusing when you don’t know what is going on or why. It sounds like you do have a lot going on hormonally. It will be interesting to see how your body balances itself out once you have completely day-weaned (or completely weaned). Sometimes it can take a while for your body to get back to “normal” even after you have fully weaned. Constant hormonal uncertainty is just one of those things that comes with motherhood, isn’t it? But don’t worry, this is only a season!

  4. Tari Abidde Avatar
    Tari Abidde

    This has been so helpful thought I had an issue

    1. Marissa Khosh Avatar

      Tari,

      I’m so glad you found this post helpful!

  5. Susy Avatar
    Susy

    Hi Marissa

    Thanks so much for this article. I’m 43 and just weaned my son about 6 weeks ago, in the hope to conceive again and carry to term. I’ve been experiencing all of these symptoms and I have been so scared it’s perimenopause as the symptoms seem the same.

    Very enlightening and so comforting to not be on my own.

    Thank-you again

    1. Marissa Khosh Avatar

      Susy,

      Your story just warms my heart. I know what it’s like to want another one so bad and wonder if it will be possible. I feel so happy on your behalf that you’ve realized the symptoms you’ve been experiencing are actually weaning symptoms and may not indicate anything negative about your feritlity. It gives me so much joy to know that finding this article gave you comfort in a difficult situation.

      I pray you will have another one in your arms soon <3

  6. Eve Avatar
    Eve

    I am very grateful for this article you wrote. My daughter is almost four, but voluntarily weaned a couple of weeks ago. Feedings had been much fewer and lasting less long for some time up until then. But then she stopped. She was happy and I was happy. But during the period following the last feed, my menstrual cramping did not go away after the first or second day as they normally did. In fact, now two weeks later, I am stiil experiencing pelvic stress and pain. I saw my gynaecologist and even got a CT scan this morning to see whether there were any masses (I’m genetically vulnerable). Since yesterday, I also have breast tenderness, and adding this to my other symptoms in a Google search led me to this article. Your article describes all my symptoms, so I’ starting to feel less worried that something else is going on. Thank you! Only too bad my gynaecologist didn’t see this connection, even though I told her about the weaning.

    1. Marissa Khosh Avatar

      Eve,

      I’m so glad your weaning process happened in such a satisfactory way for both of you! It is so nice when it can end that way, although sometimes it cannot.

      That is very interesting that you have been having weaning symptoms even though (it sounds like) you have been having your cycle already. But I have heard of other women in similar situations to yours. I remember reading about one mom in particular who was hardly breastfeeding at all anymore (and I believe she had her cycle back already), yet when she fully weaned, a floodgate of PMS-like symptoms hit her.

      I’m so glad you found my post and that you found it helpful! I pray all is well on your CT scan. Weaning can definitely wreack havock with your hormones!

  7. […] change to fertility after day-weaning my daughter from breastfeeding. It turned out to be a nine month journey of hormonal upheaval before I became fertile again, and by that time, I was discouraged, hopeless, frustrated and numb […]

  8. […] If you want to know what all those many months of hormonal craziness entailed, read my post on Hormones After Weaning from Breastfeeding. For this post, let’s just focus on the fertility aspect of what happened following […]

  9. Ash Avatar
    Ash

    Weaned to mostly nighttime nursing, had phantom periods since birth, one after semi- weaning and then just off and on faint cramps ever since for at least a month now. The internet has zero help .. then there’s this totally calming, relatable article here that tells me what I already knew deep down, my body is going back to normal and taking the scenic route… thank you SOO much for this article. I read blogs constantly and never ever comment but this was absolutely necessary. Thanks again!!

    1. Marissa Khosh Avatar

      Ash,

      Thank you for taking the time to comment! I am so glad reading this post was helpful to you. Women like you and me are exactly why I wrote it. Because you’re right, there is so little info online – or anywhere really – about hormones after weaning from breastfeeding. And yet, there are plenty of us who desperately need this kind of info!

      I hope your hormones level out soon (although it can be perfectly normal for it to take a while)!

  10. RG Avatar
    RG

    Thank you for putting this Marissa! Its a great information. Every body is offcourse different but we all can relate ourselves in this. I came across your other post too and i really got this great deal of information. Its amazing to know how our harmones can change and what a roller coaster ride it can be without any justification or an explanation! Sigh! Gotta deal with it 🙂

    1. Marissa Khosh Avatar

      RG,

      You are welcome and I’m so glad you have found the information helpful!

  11. […] Edit: Find out what happened with my hormones while day-weaning my daughter in this post and what they looked like eight months later in this post. […]

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