Period talk: Questions and advice

Sophia Young3 said:My period only lasted two days this time, even though it’s usually four. Those first two days were brutal—I couldn't even get out of bed, and the bleeding was heavy with clots. After that, it just turned into this clear, yellowish discharge on days three and four. Does showering or washing my hair too much during my period actually matter, or is that just old wives' tales? Also, I've been getting these sharp pains in my ovaries both before and after my period. It used to be fine, but now it won't stop. It's a constant cramping feeling, and I have no idea what's going on.

I wouldn't know. I read somewhere you were on birth control... things work differently when you're taking pills, it's all pretty complicated. You should probably check with your OB-GYN. I went to mine four days ago and everything checked out perfectly, so I don't really know what to tell you. I doubt the showering thing is it, but maybe catching a cold could play a part.🤷When I had those ovary pains back in October, it turned out to be an inflammation in my right ovary—but then the pain lasts the entire day.

Honestly, I’m just sitting here waiting to see if my period actually starts... right now, it's nothing more than a light tan or pale pink stain on my pad.🤷It’s been three days for me. It feels more like that discharge I just described—nothing is really flowing yet, but bo😕

I wanted to start by apologizing in advance if I’m totally off-topic here, but I did have one quick question I was hoping someone could help me with..

My period is running late. I haven't been sexually active in about three months—maybe even longer, honestly, I can't say for sure—so I don't think there's any chance I'm pregnant, even though I am living with my husband. I’m not even entirely sure how many days late I am; I think it's maybe three or four, but I don't really keep track since I don't feel the need to, especially given how quiet things have been on that front lately. I haven't dealt with any massive amounts of stress, just the usual everyday work stuff, nothing out of the ordinary. The only real change compared to previous months is that I've started riding my stationary bike every single day for about an hour and forty minutes. Is it actually possible for a sudden increase in physical activity to cause a delay like this? If anyone has any thoughts on why this might be happening or knows of anything that helps get things moving again, please send me a private message. Thanks so much!

redpilot37 said:I'm just waiting for my period to actually start, but nothing... just a light tan or pale pink stain on my pad.🤷It's my third day. It’s more like discharge than anything else—nothing is really flowing, just this color.😕

Yesterday I didn't even feel like I needed a pad. Everything was dry, except for some faint reddish mucus when I wiped. I'd notice it if I went to the bathroom, but otherwise, nothing. It feels stupid to run back to my OBGYN since my ultrasound was totally fine right before this "period" supposedly started. This whole thing has only lasted a day and a half.😢I'm ruling out pregnancy, but has anyone else dealt with this?😁

redpilot37 said:I didn't even need a pad yesterday; everything was dry except for some light pink spotting on the tissue. I probably wouldn't have even noticed if I hadn't gone to the bathroom. It feels silly to run back to my OBGYN when my ultrasound looked perfectly fine right before this spotting started. It only lasted about a day and a half.😢I've ruled out pregnancy as a possibility. Has anyone else dealt with something similar?😁

It’s possible that there is just a minor hormonal imbalance at play here.

Brenda Harris81 said:Could just be a minor hormonal imbalance.

That's possible. I was browsing online last night and realized that even if there wasn't an ovulation cycle—you know, a cycle without ovulation—this could still happen. Thanks.😉

So, I finally called it quits on the birth control pills because they were doing absolutely nothing for me—just side effects everywhere. I was on them for about six months straight. I finished my very last pack, and then my period showed up exactly four days after that final pill. When I was actually on the pill, my cycle was super predictable, hitting right at the 28-day mark every single time. Now that I've stopped, I’m sitting here wondering when the next one is actually going to show up. Is it totally normal if it's a day or two late? Before I started the pill, my cycles used to wander around anywhere between 28 and 35 days. Also, just a random note, my ovaries were acting up and hurting for a couple of days this month, but that was probably just due to a nasty cold I had.

Carol Rodriguez31 said:I stopped taking birth control because it just wasn't working for me; I was on it for about six months. I finished my last pack and then got my period (four days after the last pill, though while I was actually taking them, it came exactly every 28 days). Now I'm wondering when to expect my next one? Is it possible it might be late by a day or two? Before the pill, my cycle used to range anywhere from 28 to 35 days, and this month my ovaries have been aching for a few days, probably due to a cold.

It'll probably be a few days late. That’s pretty standard when you stop taking the pill...

ps. My ovaries are constantly cramping—during PMS and now during ovulation too. It's especially bad on the left side; it hurts if I press on it, and I can feel it whenever I jump or move around. I honestly suspect I have a massive cyst on my left ovary. They've been popping up every couple of months lately... back in November, I had an 8 cm cyst that caused this exact same stabbing pain...

And what happens when I finally see my OB-GYN? He'll probably just tell me, "Oh, your period will be a little late, and when it arrives, the cyst will likely rupture on its own. If it doesn't, come back and $83 go soak up some sun or something." Isn't that how it always goes?

Sophia Young3 said:So you’re going to be a few days late. That’s just what happens when you stop taking the pill...

ps. My ovaries feel like they're constantly cramping, both during PMS and now while I'm ovulating. It's especially bad on the left side—it hurts to press on it, and I can feel it whenever I jump or move around. I have a feeling I’ve got a massive cyst on my left ovary. This has been happening every couple of months lately... back in November, I had an 8 cm cyst and it felt just like this...

And what's the point of seeing a gynecologist? He'll just tell me my period might be a little late, and then say once it arrives, the cyst will probably rupture on its own, and if it doesn't, I should just come back and $83 wait for things to clear up? It’s the same story every single time.

😲Man, why don't you just find a decent doctor through your insurance or a community clinic when you're dealing with issues like this instead of having to pay out of pocket constantly?

So, here’s the situation. I’m 15, and my period has been completely MIA for nine months now.
I had my first sexual encounter back in May,
but after that, everything seemed fine—my cycle came along in July, August, and September.
But then? Nothing. Just total silence since then.
What on earth could be going on here??

gentlemarlin9 said:So, I'm 15 and haven't had my period in 9 months.
I had sex for the first time back in May,
but then I still got my periods in July, August, and September.
Since then, nothing.
What could be going on??

Ever since you started your cycle, it usually takes about two years for everything to settle down and find a steady rhythm.

By the way, have you had any unprotected encounters since September, or was that just back in May?

I didn't even have protected sex until I was five months along...
And my period started when I was twelve.

Honestly, you should probably see a doctor before everyone starts flooding you with "well-meaning" advice, since there are so many variables at play here.
- How regular has your cycle been?
- Has it ever been delayed this much before?
- Are you feeling physically okay otherwise?
Since you've missed nearly six months, I can tell you from experience that this happened to me during my first couple of years, so there's a good chance everything is perfectly fine given you're only 15 and used protection. It’s highly unlikely you're pregnant, though there's always that small chance things weren't handled perfectly even with a condom—but let's hope you were being careful.
At the end of the day, only a medical professional can give you a definitive answer.

Thanks a million 😉

gentlemarlin9 said:thanks so much 😉

No problem at all🙂

Ugh, I honestly can't take this anymore. It’s been four days since my last dose of Provera, and my period still hasn't shown up... My breasts are killing me and my stomach feels absolutely horrific—just totally bloated, like my uterus is swollen shut or something 😢. I went ahead and did a beta HCG test today, but nope, I'm not pregnant (GYN told me to check back in if nothing happens within 7 to 10 days after finishing the pills, but seriously, I am at my breaking point. Is it possible there's some kind of inflammation or something? Why does this even happen to me? 😢

Susan Foster31 said:I can’t take this anymore. It’s been four days since my last birth control pill and still nothing. My breasts are sore and my stomach feels terrible—just bloated, like my uterus is swollen 😢. I went for a blood test today to check HCG levels and I'm not pregnant (

It's possible. Just go see your doctor before your scheduled appointment. If you're using a clinic covered by Medicaid, they should definitely see you if you're having symptoms. Good luck.😉

redpilot37 said:Look, it’s totally doable—it really is. If you show up to the clinic before your scheduled appointment time, there's a decent chance they'll squeeze you in, especially if you tell them you're experiencing actual symptoms or discomfort. Honestly, if you're seeing a doctor through a community health center or some kind of social services program, they almost have to take you if it's urgent. Just go for it and good luck!😉

Look, she’s a private practitioner, which is exactly why it drives me absolutely insane that she handles everything with such blatant incompetence. Last time I was in, I told her straight up that I had this nagging feeling something was wrong and that I was seeing some bloody discharge, and instead of actually doing her job, she just glanced at it and shrugged it off like it was probably just from being clean. Honestly, I thought the whole thing had cleared up after that, but now the swelling is coming back and I'm feeling it all over again. 🤷 I’m gonna give her a call just to see what she has to say for herself, because honestly, I'm expecting her to just spit in my face all over again. $167 I honestly just don't have the energy for Chicago today. 👎

Susan Foster31 said:She’s in private practice, which is exactly why it bugs me—she clearly just winging it. Last time I told her I felt like things were inflamed and noticed some spotting, she just glanced at it and brushed it off as being from a cyst. It went away for a bit, but now everything feels swollen again. 🤷 I think I'll head back in to see what she has to say, though I really don't feel like getting brushed off $167 again. Not worth the hassle. 👎

If you aren't happy with her, why even bother going? Personally, I switched to a doctor through my insurance provider and it was the best move I ever made. I swapped out a previous doctor who was impossible to talk to for this new one, and she's an absolute gem. 😍 I can make appointments whenever I need, provided I wait my turn, obviously. And she always does my blood work. My old doctor used to be so shady about billing—charging for some things, skipping others, it was all over the place. Just a total headache. 👎 Anyway, I'm happy with my new doctor now. 😍 Wishing you the best of luck. 👍