Period talk: Questions and advice

driftingseal30 said:My period is usually regular (every 28 days), but this month I started on Oct 4th (day 28 of my cycle) and then again today, Oct 21st (day 17 of my cycle)... has anyone else dealt with this? What could cause an irregular cycle? I haven't been under any stress or anything, so it's bothering me a bit...

Could it be ovulation spotting?
You didn't mention how many days it lasted.

The same thing happened to me about ten years ago. I bled on day 15 of my cycle, nine days after my period ended. It wasn't even painful; I just went to the bathroom and saw blood on my underwear. Not sure, I think it lasted maybe 2-3 days, perhaps less. That was a long time ago. I asked my doctor what it was, and he just told me it was 😕. He actually smiled when he said it—told me it wasn't serious. Said other women experience it too, blah, blah... Me: Hormones, cysts, nothing... Him: Other women too...

Looking back, I had incredibly painful periods for that entire year, which was unusual for me. As for stress, who knows. Now it feels worse than usual, though I don't have any other issues.

So, be wise now.

Rachel Garcia said:Could it just be ovulation bleeding?
You didn't mention how many days it actually lasted.

I went through the exact same thing about ten years ago. I started spotting on day 15 of my cycle—nine days after my period ended. Honestly, there wasn't even any pain; I just went to the bathroom and saw blood on my underwear. I can't say for sure, but I think it only lasted maybe two or three days, if that. It was ages ago. When I asked my boyfriend what was going on, he just told me it was part of being a 😕. And get this—he actually smiled while saying it! Like, "Oh, don't worry, it's nothing serious." Then he goes on with the whole "other women experience this too" routine. Me: "But what about hormones? Or cysts?" Him: "Like I said, other women..."

Looking back now, that entire year my periods were incredibly painful, which was totally unusual for me. Maybe it was stress? Who knows. Now, things feel even worse than before, even though I don't have those specific menstrual issues anymore.

So yeah, go ahead and act like you know everything.

Well, my period usually lasts about 6 or 7 days... but my stomach is hurting so bad right now. It's never usually this painful when I'm on schedule. I've been leaking for two days now, just like when I'm actually on my period... I don't know. 🤷

Seriously, being a woman is just a total nightmare...🤣

What exactly causes these heavy flows?? On the first day, it’s pretty light—kind of pinkish, maybe a little crampy, but nothing crazy. But by the second day? I basically have to wear two layers of pants everywhere I go because the blood just runs down my legs. Not to exaggerate, but I’m wearing double socks, underwear, boxers, tights, and jeans, and it still leaks through without any trouble... on that second day, it feels like it’s literally pouring out of me, just pure blood with no mucus. By the third day, it returns to a normal flow and lasts about six days total. Is this enough of a reason to go see a gynecologist?

Michelle Sanchez55 said:What even causes these heavy flows?? On day one, it’s light—kind of pinkish, a little crampy, but nothing crazy. BUT by day two, I literally have to wear two pairs of pants everywhere I go because blood is just running down my legs. Not even exaggerating. I’m out here wearing double socks, underwear, boxers, tights, AND pants, and I still leak through without a hitch... on that second day, it’s straight up flooding, just pure blood, no mucus. By day three it levels out, and the whole thing lasts about 6 days. Is that enough of a reason to hit up a gynecologist?

By day three, I'm basically bedridden. If it weren't for luck, I'd be at the ER getting a transfusion.😢
And it lasts 4 days.

Day one is almost nothing, day two picks up a bit, then day three is a total washout. Then day four, it's back to almost nothing.🤷
Sometimes I skip the flood, sometimes I don't.😕

It's only day one for me right now, but I'm already panicking about what day three is gonna look like.🙄

In some cases, gynecologists prescribe birth control pills specifically to manage heavy flows. If you aren't interested in hormonal options, I suggest looking up the menstrual cup discussion on this forum; many women who switched because of heavy periods have reported being extremely satisfied with the results.

Kimberly Robinson80 said:Sometimes OB-GYNs prescribe birth control pills specifically because they help manage heavy flows. If you aren't interested in hormones, though, check out the period cup thread on this forum. Plenty of women who switched to cups because of heavy bleeding have been really happy with the results.

The thing is, those kinds of heavy flows usually stem from an underlying issue that needs to be treated, rather than just masking it with a cup.🙏 🤣🤣

Thank you for the correction.🙂 I was assuming all medical reasons for increased bleeding had been ruled out. Naturally, one should consult a gynecologist regarding this matter first (though perhaps checking this forum first, then seeing a doctor.🙂)

Hey...so...I’ve got a bit of a situation...basically, I’m dealing with PCOS...and yeah
I haven't had my period in a good 6 or 7 months now. My last one was way back around February or March, and since then? Nothing. Zilch. And when it comes to the PCOS itself, I feel like I've got every single symptom in the book. For a while, I was on Diane, and honestly, they were a lifesaver...but I had to stop taking them because they ended up messing with my blood sugar and causing high blood pressure 😢 and once I kicked the pills, everything just went right back to how it was before...ugh, seriously...what am I even supposed to do?!

driftingseal30 said:My cycle is usually super predictable—every 28 days on the dot—but I started my period on October 4th, and then it just showed up again today, October 21st. That’s only day 17 of my cycle... Has anyone else dealt with this? What could cause a cycle to get this irregular all of a sudden? I haven't been under any major stress or anything, so it's definitely making me a bit anxious...

I had the exact same thing happen to me this month. If I remember correctly, I started on the 4th, and then around the 17th, I suddenly started spotting... It might have been due to stress or perhaps an antibiotic I was taking... It only lasted for a couple of days.

Megan Jones27 said:The same thing happened to me this month... I think my cycle started on October 4th, and then out of nowhere around the 17th, I started spotting... could be stress or maybe those antibiotics I had to take... lasted a few days.

Heh, so it’s probably just because of the weather forecast...🤣... I don't know. I'm easily the most chill person you'll ever meet—I don't stay worked up for more than two seconds—and I haven't even touched antibiotics or anything heavy like that in, what, three years?🙂

Michelle Sanchez55 said:What causes those heavy flows?? On day one, it’s light and pinkish with some mild cramping, nothing crazy. But by day two, I have to wear two pairs of pants everywhere because the blood just pours down my legs. No exaggeration. I’m wearing double socks, underwear, boxers, tights, and pants, and it still leaks through... on that second day, it’s literally pouring out of me, just straight blood without any mucus. By day three, things return to normal, and the whole thing lasts six days. Is that enough of a reason to see a gynecologist?

My last two cycles were exactly like that. Apparently, it's caused by a hormonal imbalance—super high estrogen and almost no progesterone. My hormones are always a mess anyway, starting with my thyroid and going from there.

I got my first period about 10 days ago, and it's still going. 😢
I've been using Always pads and changing them every four hours. Some girls I know told me I shouldn't wash my hair while on my period, but I've already washed it twice and felt perfectly fine. 😕
They also suggested showering less often, which doesn't make sense to me 🤷 since I've just been showering every day.
It’s now the 10th day; the cramps aren't too bad, but I really just want this to be over. 😢 Does it last this long for you guys too? And is it okay to wash my hair?
Are Always pads any good?

Jesus, which old lady started this whole myth about not washing your hair while on your period? 🙄 Honestly, we might as well just stop bathing altogether during that week 🙏

Nancy Ward88 said:I got my period for the first time 10 days ago. It’s still going. 😢
I've been using Libresse pads and changing them every 4 hours. Some girls I know are telling me I shouldn't wash my hair while I have my period, but I've already washed it twice and nothing happened. 😕
They also say you should shower less often, which makes zero sense to me 🤷 I've showered every single day.
It’s day 10 now. The pain isn't too bad, but I just want this to be over. 😢 Does it last this long for you guys? And can I wash my hair?
Are Libresse pads any good?

You can definitely wash your hair, and you should shower—honestly, staying clean is better than skipping it. Just maybe skip the swimming pools or hot tubs.

As for the pads, you'll figure out what works for you. I use Always, but I try to get the organic ones because those plastic-feeling ones are gross.

Angela Robinson said:Jesus, I wonder which old-fashioned lady started that whole myth about not washing your hair while on your period. 🙄 Might as well skip the shower altogether then. 🙏

melloworca6 said:You can definitely wash your hair like usual and take showers—in fact, staying clean is actually recommended. You should just avoid going swimming for a while.

As for pads, you'll have to try a few to see which ones work best for you. I personally stick with Always, but I only get the organic ones since those plastic versions feel terrible.

Thanks. 🙂
They told me today that if I wash my hair, I'm going to end up with an unbearable headache. 😕 I don't think they even shower while they're on their period. 😳
My mom doesn't even know I've started my period. If I told her, she'd probably start treating me like I was sick and wouldn't stop hovering over me.
They actually had the nerve to call me stupid for washing my hair. I just told them that if they prefer smelling bad for a week and rocking greasy hair, that's their business. Honestly, I couldn't care less. 🤷

They’re probably just suffering from an information overload at this point. 🙄

Go ahead and take a shower—just maybe skip the bathtub if you're worried—and wash your hair. You aren't going to hurt yourself. As for those liberals and their constant overthinking, I've got just the right emoji for them 🤮

I seriously cannot believe people are still debating this 🙂

Like, what would we even say about girls swimming in the ocean with tampons during their period? They should be dead or something, right? 🤣

Periods aren't some disease (even if the cramps make them feel like one!), and you can totally live your life and do everything normally while it's happening

melloworca6 said:Honestly, their heads probably hurt from carrying around all that "expertise." 🙄

Go ahead and shower, seriously --just maybe skip the bathtub-- and wash your hair; you aren't going to die. As for those ultra-sensitive types and their endless overthinking? I've got just the emoji for that. 🤮

If you had gone through what I did, you wouldn't be recommending this to anyone. Unless we're talking about a super quick rinse.🤷 Because for me, a long, hot shower ended up putting me on strict bed rest for an entire week until my bleeding—which was intense, by the way—finally leveled out.
I know two other women who dealt with the exact same thing, so just because it didn't happen to you doesn't mean it isn't a real issue for some people.

Wait, are you seriously telling me you don't shower at all when you're on your period? 😕 And you wouldn't even suggest she take a shower? 😕

Personally, I'll jump in the shower two or three times a day during my period and it doesn't bother me one bit. Obviously, I'm not standing under steaming hot water for thirty minutes straight, but a quick 5 to 10-minute rinse with normal temperature water works just fine for me.

Hi everyone.

I posted about this issue a month or two ago, and while some of you were able to soothe my nerves back then, I find myself right back in the same anxious headspace.

To give you the context, I was on birth control for two years. Once my previous relationship ended, I decided to stop taking them after consulting with my OB-GYN. My last period arrived on July 31st 😢 and I tried to be patient, knowing that things usually take a little time to regulate after coming off hormonal contraceptives, but my anxiety eventually got the better of me and I scheduled an appointment. My doctor prescribed Duphaston—two tablets a day for ten days—noting that my period should arrive within two or three days of finishing the course. I finished the tenth day the day before yesterday, so I am currently off the medication. He mentioned that if nothing happens, I have enough pills left for a second ten-day cycle, which I would start fourteen days after the last dose.

Logically, I know there is still time for my cycle to return, but I can't help feeling increasingly paranoid about the whole situation. During the exam, he performed an ultrasound and noted that my left ovary appears polycystic, though there are no cysts present; I just can't understand why my period hasn't started. 😢 To make matters more complicated, I started seeing someone new about a month ago, and now I am spiraling with the fear that my delayed cycle isn't just hormonal, but because I've become pregnant. We have been using protection and the condom didn't break, but my mind is racing.

Please, just tell me something reasonable. 😁