Period talk: Questions and advice

You should really sit down with a gynecologist to discuss whether birth control pills might be a good move for you. It’s honestly not as scary as people make it out to be, and it could actually help get your hormones back in balance. Have you gone through any hormone panels or had an ovarian ultrasound yet? It’s entirely possible you’re dealing with PCOS.

shadowcobra17 said:Hi there. I'm running about a month late. I know it’s likely due to an unbalanced diet—I don't eat much—but I do eat healthy and I certainly am not starving myself. It happened once before, though it was only a couple of weeks late back then; I went to see my OBGYN who examined me and assured me there was nothing physically wrong, just hormonal issues, presumably stress and such. I feel bloated and have essentially been dealing with PMS for a month straight now. It's enough to drive anyone mad. I really would prefer to avoid birth control pills, so if any of you ladies know how I might jumpstart things naturally, I would be incredibly grateful!

I live with PCOS and have spent years struggling with this exact cycle of delays and grueling, prolonged PMS. For me, a hemp tincture and Vitex agnus castus from Tylenol helped significantly. Apparently, it lowers prolactin levels—which were slightly elevated in my case—and helps release whatever is blocking the cycle.

Then there is another, perhaps less "wholesome" method that my sister discovered, and she deals with the same issues. Having a little bit of alcohol🙂—a few shots, or perhaps a glass of your favorite liqueur or wine—can ease the PMS, relax the mind, improve circulation, and acts as a diuretic. It's worked wonders.
(The period doesn't necessarily arrive the very next day, but it usually shows up by tomorrow.)

First off, hey everyone! I’m super new to this forum and I really hope I’m in the right place 😉

So, here’s the deal. I’m 30, and my period has always been a total nightmare—like, seriously painful stuff, we're talking vomiting and passing out kind of bad
For the last year and a half, I’ve been on Yasmin and it’s honestly been a lifesaver... until these last two packs! Before my second-to-last pack, I finished it up, then took the remaining 3 pills just to be safe before taking my 7-day break. My period was pretty heavy then. But now, after finishing my last pack on June 20th, nothing happened. Well, not really. What I actually got was so tiny I wouldn't even call it a period—just one day of a little brownish spotting. Since I’m a bit of a paranoid person, I ended up taking 4 different tests over the last two weeks (thank God, they were all negative). I even went to see my OBGYN yesterday, and she basically told me it was "just a light period" because birth control thins out the uterine lining, making periods lighter and lighter. She also thinks I’m ovulating right now and said my next one should come back to normal without me needing to do anything to trigger it.
Has anyone else gone through something like this? Please let me know!

Is it normal to experience this on day 23 of my cycle? Also, what does it mean when I start seeing this brownish discharge with an unpleasant odor a couple of days before my period actually starts?

Brenda Wells73 said:Has anyone else gone through something like this? Please, I'd love to hear from you...

Were you maybe on some kind of diet or just dealing with massive stress during your sixth month???

Sophia Thompson93 said:Is it normal to hit day 23 of my cycle and start seeing this brownish discharge with an unpleasant odor right before my period starts?

For the last two or three days, I've had this cramping sensation—it feels like my period is coming, but everything just feels swollen and off. It’s definitely more of a brown discharge than usual. I actually went to see my OBGYN yesterday, but they weren't able to perform a full exam. Has anyone else dealt with this? Any idea what might be going on?

Hello there!
I'm heading to the coast in two weeks, which is exactly when my period is due to start. Since I'll only be staying for a week, I really want to postpone my cycle so I don't miss out on the trip.
So... does anyone know how I can make that happen? Thanks in advance! 🙂

I’ve got a question about tampons, and honestly, I have no clue which thread this belongs in... Anyway, I’ve never used tampons before, and I’m stuck because I have to use one tomorrow since I’ll be at the pool. Basically, I have no idea how often I should be changing it, especially since I'm going to be in the water all day? please help

brightbear said:were you maybe dieting or just super stressed out around month 6???

Sorry, I’ve been MIA for a few days—honestly, between all the stress and trying to stick to a diet, plus getting totally soaked and freezing my butt off this past Saturday... I’m really, really hoping that’s what did it.

Alright, ladies,

I'm in my twenties, and up until recently, everything was pretty textbook. My cycle has always been regular, and the cramps usually only hit me for those first few hours right after things start, then it's smooth sailing. I’d have heavy bleeding for the first two or three days, and then naturally, it would taper off. Nothing about it ever felt weird or out of the ordinary.

But lately, over the last couple of months, I've been dealing with these really light flows. My cycle is still technically "regular" in terms of timing—nothing has shifted on the calendar—but here's the thing... I started yesterday evening, dealt with some minor cramping and nausea, but the bleeding is incredibly light. Today, which should be my first day, feels more like what used to be my fourth day. 😕

Thoughts?

Susan Thomas58 said:Hi there!
I'm heading to the beach in two weeks and I'll be starting my period right when I arrive. Since I'm only staying for a week, I really want to delay it.
So... does anyone know how I can make that happen? Thanks! 🙂

Are you on birth control? Because if you aren't, trying to delay it with "natural" methods is going to be nearly impossible.

Peter Murphy8 said:I have a question about tampons... but I honestly don't know which thread this belongs in. Basically, I've never used tampons before, but I have to use one tomorrow because of the pool. How often should I be changing it since I'll be in the water all day? please help

Well, it depends on how heavy your flow is, but since you'll be swimming, I would actually recommend changing it every single time you get out of the water. I realize it’s a hassle, but it’s the smartest way to go.

Kate Brown33 said:Hey girls,

I'm in my twenties and my cycle is usually very regular. I mostly just get cramps during the first few hours, and then everything settles down. My flow is typically heavier for the first two or three days and then tapers off. Overall, nothing has felt unusual or weird.

However, over the last couple of months, my bleeding has been much lighter. My cycle is still regular—meaning the timing hasn't changed—but here's the thing... I started yesterday evening with minimal cramping and nausea, but the bleeding is extremely light. Today, my first day feels like what my fourth day used to feel like. 😕

Thoughts?

I've been experiencing the same thing lately, but it isn't anything to worry about unless you suspect you might be pregnant.

Laura Mendoza said:I’ve been feeling the same way lately, but honestly, it’s nothing to lose sleep over unless you think you might be pregnant.

No, I should clarify—I actually *do* suspect that might be the case. 😉

The thing is, I'm getting a little spooked. This hasn't happened once in the entire decade plus I've had my period, so I'm genuinely worried that if I keep living at this frantic pace, my cycle is just going to vanish entirely. 🤷

I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping everything turns out okay.

So, here is the situation 🙂 my period arrived on April 8th, then again on May 5th, and then on June 18th—which actually had me feeling quite anxious already... then there was some spotting on July 8th that lasted about three days... I am wondering if pregnancy is a possibility because we were intimate within the last 8 to 10 days, but the home test came back negative and even the ultrasound didn't show anything at all... since nothing is visible on the scan, I am just waiting for my next period to arrive, but now the big question arises: when should I actually be expecting it? Should I factor in this light bleeding from this month and expect my period around August 8th, or should I be looking toward the 18th instead??? Please help me

Kate Brown33 said:Actually, I’d say I have my doubts. 😉

It's just that I'm a little nervous. This hasn't happened to me once in the decade plus that I've had my period, so I'm honestly worried that if I keep going at this rate, I might lose my cycle entirely. 🤷

I'm just hoping everything turns out okay.

Look, if you're really stressed about it, just go ask an OB-GYN. Come to think of it, my periods have always been lighter and shorter during the summer months—that's just how my body works. 🤷

Nicole Green59 said:But here's the thing: 🙂 I got my period on April 8th, then May 8th, then June 18th—that's when I started getting worried. Then July 8th came, and it only lasted about three days... pregnancy is possible since we had sex in the last 8-10 days, but the test is negative and the ultrasound doesn't show anything either... since I can't tell if I'm pregnant, I'm waiting for my next period, but here's the question: when should I expect it? Should I count this light bleeding this month and expect my period around August 8th, or should I look toward the 18th instead??? Help!

I would say before August 8th. And start using protection.

I’m actually choosing not to use protection because I am just so incredibly hopeful about becoming pregnant soon...

My apologies then; reading your post, I mistakenly thought you were trying to distance yourself from the situation out of pure panic. That was my error. I am rooting for you and the little one! 🙂

Thanks so much! 😉 I suppose I just have to sit tight and wait until August now... I was really holding out hope that it would be at least July 18th, you know? I’m just sitting here expecting it... oh boy, it feels like an entire lifetime away already... 😢

Brenda Wells73 said:I’ve been MIA for a few days—dealing with a mountain of stress and trying to stick to this diet, plus I ended up soaked to the bone and freezing out in the rain last Saturday... honestly, I’m just praying that was the reason I got sick.

So, stress and dieting? 😁 Great combo right there... honestly, you really just need to take a breath and stop worrying so much about everything 😉

I would be absolutely delighted if someone could please, please, please share their thoughts regarding my little "situation"...

Ladies, I need some advice. My period has been going on for three weeks straight now. The flow stays exactly the same—it’s not getting heavier or lighter. It isn't particularly heavy, and I'm not dealing with any abdominal pain or anything else. Usually, I don't have major issues; I had one significant "overflow" about 7 or 8 years ago, but after being prescribed Provera back then, everything returned to normal. Has anyone dealt with something similar? Any idea what might be causing this? I'm 23.