Period talk: Questions and advice

I just got my period after being two weeks late 😲 and I’m honestly losing my mind over it... this has never happened to me before, and I have no clue why it's happening now. It’s never arrived early like this, and of course, it happens right as I’m getting back from a beach trip. Is this just some weird reaction to the change in weather, or could it be something more serious? I go for regular checkups with my OB-GYN and everything always comes back normal... but this sudden shift has me completely on edge! 🤷

Morgan Torres said:you'll probably start your period tomorrow or the day after

I’m inclined to agree... my cycle tends to get a bit wonky for a few days once summer wraps up. I read somewhere that it’s due to the seasonal shift—assuming you aren't living on the coast, obviously.

It hasn't even been that many days, really. Ever since I started my period, those summer fluctuations have been pretty standard—sometimes I go two months without one, and honestly, it’s become kind of my "new normal." But this discharge is what’s actually getting to me. I’ve never dealt with anything like it before, and since my cycle is already running late, the whole thing just feels off. It’s definitely a bit unsettling, if I'm being honest. Right now, though, I feel like it’s finally coming, especially with how much my lower stomach is cramping up... fingers crossed that's all it is.

Quick question for you girls who usually shower while on your period. I’ve only ever used tampons before, so I’m wondering if I should grab a bigger size just to be safe from leaks while I'm bathing, or does that even matter? Also, do I need to swap it out after every single shower, or can it hang on for, like, an entire afternoon? Just a regular period here, day 3...

Lately, my cycle has been completely out of whack. I haven't had my period in months now. I went to see my gynecologist, and they basically told me I need to get my hormone levels checked, implying that this probably won't resolve itself without being put on some kind of medication.

Now, the thing is, I really don't want to start taking pills, and I have a pretty strong suspicion that all of this is actually a fallout from the bulimia I’ve been struggling with—though, admittedly, I didn't mention any of that to the doctor...

If I manage to stop, do you think everything will eventually reset itself, or have I permanently messed up my hormones and ovaries??

Rachel Walker45 said:Quick question for you ladies who usually go swimming while on your period. I've never used tampons before, so I'm wondering if I need to go with a larger size for swimming to prevent leaks, or does that even matter? Also, do I need to change it after every swim, or can it last through, say, an entire afternoon? This is just a regular period, day three...

Regardless of which size you choose, it’s going to soak up water. You might find you have to swap it out every time you get out of the pool (if you have access to a restroom), and honestly, that’s what I’d recommend doing.

Donna Hill8 said:Lately, my ovarian function has been acting up. I haven't had my period in months. I saw my OB-GYN, and he told me I need to get my hormone levels checked and said this likely won't be fixed without medication.

Now, I really don't want to be on pills, and I strongly suspect all of this is a result of the bulimia I've been struggling with—but I didn't mention that to the doctor...

If I stop the behavior, will everything fix itself, or have I permanently messed up my hormones and ovaries??

Don't say "IF"—try to actually quit! If that is indeed one of the reasons your hormones are haywire, things certainly won't bounce back overnight. It could take several months, if it happens at all.

Wait, what exactly does everyone mean when they say "spotting"? 😕

Rachel Walker45 said:Quick question for the ladies who usually take baths during their period. I’ve never really been a tampon user, so I was wondering if I should go for a larger size when I'm soaking in the tub to avoid any leaks, or does that even matter? Also, do I need to swap it out after every single bath, or can it hang on for, say, an entire afternoon? Just asking about a standard cycle—it's currently day three.

The size of the tampon you pick really just comes down to how heavy your flow is. It’s all about matching the absorbency to what's actually happening. And honestly, if you want some advice from someone who's been there, listen to what bloodly says—just swap it out right after you get out of the shower.🙂

Rachel Walker45 said:Just a quick question for you ladies who usually swim or bathe during your period. I've never actually used tampons before, so I'm wondering if I should go with a larger size to prevent any leaks while I'm in the water, or does that not really matter? Also, do I need to change it right after getting out of the pool, or can it last through, say, an entire afternoon? This is just a standard cycle, day three.

As long as you pick a size that matches your flow, a tampon can easily last through an entire afternoon without any issues. I don't use anything other than tampons myself, so I know from experience.

rowdyfox1 said:What exactly does "spotting" mean? 😕

It's just light, irregular bleeding.

Nicole Kim98 said:If this topic has come up before, then whatever, but ladies... please weigh in.
I had sex for the first time about three months ago, and I can't find a straight answer on any website regarding my actual question. Is it possible for periods to become irregular after having sex for the first time? Like, could they show up way early or be significantly late? My last one was ten days late, and now this one is nine days overdue... what's going on? ??☕

I went through something similar. I can't recall the exact number of days they were early or late, but my cycle was pretty erratic for about three months before it finally settled down and became perfectly predictable again.

So, I had an abortion about two months ago. After all the bleeding settled down from the procedure, my cycle came back once, totally normal. But now, I’ve been waiting on this second one for almost 20 days. Usually, my period is pretty irregular anyway, so a late start isn't exactly a cause for panic in my book. Just to be absolutely sure, I already took a pregnancy test and it was negative, so I know I'm not pregnant again. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else has dealt with their cycle acting this wonky after an abortion?

Hey there!
So, here's the deal: I was on birth control pills for a few months and everything was totally fine, but I stopped taking them two months ago. My first
period came back right on schedule after 29 days, but now it's been 31 days and still nothing.😕
I’ve been dealing with PMS symptoms, and both yesterday and today I've had some liver discomfort, but still no sign of anything starting.
Is it possible my hormones just haven't leveled out yet, and that's why things are running late?
Before I started the pills, my cycle was always pretty consistent, usually landing somewhere between 28 and 31 days...
I mean, it’s not like I’m massively late or anything, but it's definitely making me a little nervous...

Thanks for the help!🙂

I’m in a bit of a bind! I have knee surgery scheduled for September 22nd, but according to my math, that’s right when my period is supposed to start. It’s never been regular, so I honestly have no clue which day it’ll actually hit... Does anyone know if there are any pills or ANYTHING at all that can push a period back by just a few days? I want to get through the surgery first, because last time I was at the hospital, they sent me straight home because my period started on the very day of the procedure. HELP! I’ve been waiting months for this surgery, and if I have to reschedule now, who knows when I'll ever get another opening... 🤷

What does that even have to do with anything?

Just think about how many women would undergo some kind of surgery during their monthly cycle...

Well over a thousand...

Look, if you think it doesn't matter, go ahead and try explaining that to the doctors at the hospital who REFUSE to operate on you while you're on your period! That is just how the rule works, end of story.

Jessica Williams60 said:What does that have to do with anything?

Just think about how many women have actually gone through surgery during their cycle.

Well over a thousand...

Look, you can push back your period using birth control pills to avoid any gaps between packs. But I’m assuming you aren't on them, since you mentioned your cycle isn't always regular anyway. Honestly, your best bet is probably just calling your OB-GYN, explaining what's going on, and seeing if they can get things sorted out...

ambersurfer59 said:Look, you can delay your period using birth control pills so there isn't a gap between packs. But I'm assuming you aren't on them, since you mentioned your cycle isn't always regular. Honestly, your best bet might be calling a gynecologist, explaining what's going on, and seeing if you can get things sorted out...

Let's just say I don't have a gynecologist... So how am I supposed to handle this? 🤷

Hey everyone... I’ve got a bit of a situation on my hands, so if anyone knows anything, let me know.
My cycle has been all over the place lately, so I've been seeing my doctor regularly to get things back on track. Following my doctor's orders, I've been taking Provera to try and regulate everything. I finished my course between the 20th and the 25th, and the bleeding was supposed to start by now, but there's absolutely nothing happening. Yes, I've been intimate with my boyfriend, but we use condoms every single time—they haven't broken or anything like that. My ovaries have been aching quite a bit yesterday and today, which might be a sign it's coming, but I've also been under a lot of stress, so maybe that's why it hasn't shown up in the last two days since I stopped the pills? Or will it just happen eventually? I’m being incredibly paranoid, even though the condom hasn't failed once, but I can't shake this nagging fear that I might be pregnant since my period hasn't arrived these past two days.

Hey everyone... I've run into a bit of a situation, so if anyone has any insight, let me know.
My cycle has always been irregular, so I've been seeing my OBGYN for regular checkups. To get things back on track, I've been taking Provera as prescribed. I finished my dose between the 20th and the 25th, and I was expecting my period to start by now, but there’s been nothing. Yes, I've been sexually active with my boyfriend, but we use condoms every single time—nothing has ever broken or failed. I've had some pretty intense ovarian pain and general aches over the last couple of days, which might just be a sign that it's coming, but I've also been under a lot of stress lately. Could the stress be delaying it, even though I stopped the pills two days ago? Or will it just show up eventually? Honestly, I'm being incredibly paranoid. Even though the protection has worked perfectly every time, I can't shake this nagging fear that I might be pregnant since my period hasn't arrived in these last two days.