Will menstruation during lactation reduce milk supply?

Due to breastfeeding, the majority of women resume menstruation 3–6 months or more after childbirth. A small proportion may resume menses as early as one month postpartum, while others may not resume until around 10 months postpartum. Menstrual resumption indicates that ovarian function has largely recovered—and this is unrelated to breastfeeding.

Does menstruation during lactation reduce milk supply?

Menstruation during lactation may cause a mild reduction in milk volume, and the extent of this effect is partly related to the mother’s physical constitution. If baseline milk supply is abundant, the impact of menstrual onset on lactation is generally negligible. However, for mothers with relatively low baseline milk production, menstruation may lead to a noticeable decline in milk volume. In such cases, increasing feeding frequency and consuming protein- and carbohydrate-rich foods can help support and compensate for reduced milk output. In the vast majority of cases, this will not adversely affect the infant’s growth and development.

If milk production declines significantly, pregnancy should first be ruled out, and nutritional status—including possible malnutrition—should be assessed. Postpartum deficiencies in qi and blood, chronic sleep deprivation, or liver qi stagnation may substantially impair lactation. In such cases, warm towel compresses combined with gentle breast massage may help promote ductal patency. Additionally, regularly consuming nourishing soups (e.g., bone broth, crucian carp soup) can support increased milk production.

During menstruation, a woman’s body is in a state of relative weakness. Menstrual blood loss may deplete qi and blood, thereby compromising normal milk production. To counteract this, women are encouraged to consume nutrient-dense, qi- and blood-tonifying soups—such as pork rib soup, crucian carp soup, red bean soup, and tofu soup—during their period. Adequate rest and hydration are also essential to help mitigate potential reductions in milk supply. We hope this information is helpful!