Period talk: Questions and advice

Sex hormones change depending on where you are in your cycle—like day 3 to 5 or maybe day 21—so it really just depends on which specific ones you're checking. Bottom line: pay attention to what day you're on and what exactly you're testing.

I want to know what you guys think about this outcome.
About a month ago, I took Plan B because a condom broke. My period came right on schedule afterward and seemed totally normal. But then, just a week later, I had this other bleeding episode that lasted four days—it felt more like a light period than anything else.
I went to my OB-GYN today for an ultrasound. She noted that my uterine lining is thickened. Based on my last regular period, I’m on day 21 of my cycle, so my next one should be due any minute now.

The doctor seemed pretty hesitant about the thickened lining and some tiny 2mm spot she found.
Personally, I think the chances of pregnancy are basically zero since I always use condoms and double-check them.

I forgot to mention—I took a pregnancy test and it came back negative (though the nurse did say there wasn't enough urine on the stick, so she still thinks it's a negative result anyway)

Laura Perez23 said:I’m no doctor, but it feels like about seven days before ovulation and seven days after, the chances of conceiving are pretty much zero or at least incredibly slim... feel free to set me straight if I've got that wrong.

Actually, you're mistaken there.
It’s technically possible any time; it really just comes down to how high the odds are during those specific windows.

casualmason3 said:Look, if he didn't finish inside you, the odds are pretty slim, but they aren't zero. Honestly, your best bet is to swing by a gynecologist. Or, if you haven't already, just grab a pregnancy test from CVS or Walgreens.
I suspect your period is just overdue, but since your cycle is irregular, it’s almost impossible to pinpoint your fertile window accurately. (Though, again, if there was no internal ejaculation, it might be a moot point unless you’ve had some serious bad luck.🤷

Plus, even if your cycles were perfectly regular, relying solely on calendar tracking isn't exactly a foolproof method.

My period is always running late on me, but this time it’s being extra dramatic—I'm at 45 days now, which is wild since my usual cycle tops out at 30. I actually found out from my last blood test that I'm running pretty low on iron. Do you think that could be what's throwing everything out of whack?

Well, here's the thing... I’ve been thinking about shifting my cycle just a little bit. I’d love to have my period arrive two days earlier than usual, mostly just so I can have some peace of mind heading into the New Year 😁. I was wondering if it would be smarter to start a new pack of birth control pills two days before my current break ends—basically on the fifth day of the break—or if I should just stop taking them two days before the next scheduled break begins?
Which approach makes more sense, or does it honestly not matter much?

Angela Peterson57 said:Oh boy... she wants to shift her cycle so her period shows up two days early just to get it over with before New Year's 😁... so she's wondering if she should start the pill two days before her break ends (on day 5 of the break) or just stop taking them two days before the next break starts?
Which way is smarter, or does it even matter?

Two days before the break ends means day 5 of the break. 😉

Hannah Peterson14 said:Yeah, I actually stopped taking Diana a few days ago too. My doctor told me my period might be late by up to three weeks while my ovaries get back into the swing of things.

Oh yeah, regarding that part—I also stopped the pill and my period was three days late (it showed up on day 31, which is how it usually goes when I'm off them).
The issue is it's super light, even though it's normally really heavy.
Wonder if that's just because I skipped the pills this month?😕

Iron deficiency is typically inextricably linked to heavy menstrual cycles, though the medical community still debates whether one is the primary cause or merely a symptom of the other.
Go see an OB-GYN; you could be dealing with PCOS, you could be pregnant, or who knows, there are a dozen other possibilities...

casualmason3 said:If we're talking two days before the break ends, that would be the 5th day of the break itself. 😉

Thanks so much, 🙂

My friend is dealing with thyroid issues and irregular periods, and things have taken a truly terrifying turn. She saw a gynecologist a few times because her bleeding was lasting way too long, and he prescribed her Yasmin. Well, she stopped taking them, and just a few weeks later, my friend passed away from a pulmonary embolism caused by Yasmin. Now, she hasn't had a period in... what, four months? I think. Both she and I feel strongly that she needs to see a gynecologist immediately, but her mother is digging her heels in; she refuses to let her go because she’s convinced they’ll just push Yasmin on her again—something we are both vehemently boycotting. On top of all the horror stories regarding blood clots and everything else, we found out that because of high cholesterol, her blood is already starting to thicken... so now... I am honestly at a loss. What am I even supposed to say to her? How can I help? When she had that first exam, the doctor even suggested she might struggle to have children... and I just don't understand how I can convince her to tell her mom that she MUST go. Are there any other types of birth control out there that actually work without these risks? Please, I need advice...

I can't seem to find the specific thread regarding PMS to ask my question here... Does anyone happen to know what the typical range is for PMS symptoms? It’s getting to be a bit much. I feel like I'm driving myself crazy, and my boyfriend is definitely feeling the brunt of it too.

I just found out. It's 62 dollars. 😁 I hope this helps.

Amanda Lopez52 said:I finally got the word. It’s $8.50. 😁 Fingers crossed that makes a difference.

Good luck.
Keep me posted 🙂

🙏🙏🙏

I have no idea what kind of magic is in this formula, but it absolutely works. It really does. I am no longer some high-strung monster snapping at anyone who breathes the wrong way. 👋 I highly recommend it.

I’ve got a question for you all... does anyone else deal with period cramps so brutal that you end up in the ER getting a Voltaren injection in the backside, throwing up, or even passing out? My doctor keeps telling me this is "normal" for some people and claims it'll magically disappear once I have kids. But honestly, is it really normal to be sprinting to the emergency room every 28 to 30 days because the pain is so intense I'm practically hitting my head against a wall? Has anyone else gone through this? What actually works to treat it? P.S. I’m needing at least 4 to 6 heavy-duty painkillers before and during my cycle just to stay functional... or am I just losing my mind?=

A close friend of mine went through the exact same thing... she was vomiting constantly and ended up in the ER, only for the doctors to give her that classic line: "You'll feel better once you have kids..." But since she's been dealing with this since her very first period, that wasn't exactly a helpful timeline to wait for 😁... She was eventually diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance, started taking Diana, and the pain just vanished... Another friend had a slightly milder case, but once she started on Triqular, she felt sooo much better... Anyway, I really hope this helps...

Hannah Castillo31 said:A close friend of mine is dealing with thyroid issues alongside irregular periods. She saw a gynecologist a couple of times because her bleeding was lasting an unnaturally long time, and he prescribed her Yasmin. Well, she stopped taking them, and just a few weeks later, my friend passed away from a pulmonary embolism triggered by Yasmin. Now, she hasn't had a period in... I think it's been about 4 months. Both she and I feel strongly that she needs to see a doctor, but her mother is refusing to let her go because she’s terrified they'll just prescribe more Yasmina—which we are adamantly boycotting. Given everything that’s been reported regarding blood clots and all that horror, we also found out that because of high cholesterol, her blood is already prone to clotting... so now... I honestly don't know what to tell her or how to help. During her first exam, the doctor even suggested she might have trouble having children in the future... and I just don't understand how I can convince her to tell her mom that she HAS to go. Are there any other types of pills that could actually help or something else entirely? Thanks for any advice...

Are we really just going to sit here with no comment?

I was on Yasmin and stopped about two months ago... my first period arrived right on schedule, but now my second one is already a week late. I'm dealing with nausea and ovarian pain—basically all those usual symptoms I get right before my cycle starts. Is it normal for things to be this delayed after quitting birth control, or am I looking at some kind of underlying issue? 🙂 please help!!!!!