Period talk: Questions and advice

Taylor Smith3 said:They did an ultrasound on me, my left ovary shows polycystic morphology, there aren't any actual cysts, so why isn't there much fluid? 😢

It’s because you have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). Believe it or not, one of the most common primary symptoms is irregular cycles—among many others. These aren't actually cysts, but rather numerous small follicles; it isn't a single disease, but a syndrome accompanied by a range of symptoms. Some are visible—like acne, hair thinning, weight gain, or increased hair growth in certain areas, such as the chin area—and some are functional, which we don't see. That said, you don't necessarily need to exhibit all of these symptoms; having irregular cycles alone is enough to qualify.

Don't worry too much, you'll get your period eventually, though it would certainly be wise to have your gynecologist order some hormone testing. If the ultrasound points toward PCOS, then checking your hormone levels is necessary to figure out where the "short circuit" is happening—somewhere in the system, for sure. Depending on what they think is best, your doctor might suggest birth control again after a break, or perhaps you'll decide to manage things naturally (there is plenty of info on the PCOS thread). It's more of a lifelong condition than a curable illness; you either use medications like the pill to mask the symptoms, or it's largely up to you to manage it as best as possible through diet, a healthy lifestyle, minimizing stress, cutting out bad carbs, and staying active. But first, just ask them to write you a referral for blood work.

So, don't panic—you aren't pregnant. 🙂

You have absolutely no idea how paranoid I am being right now. 🤣 During my exam, the doctor actually asked if there was any chance I was pregnant. I told him no, because I had stopped seeing my ex long before I quit my birth control, and since starting this new brand, we’ve only been together a couple of times without any issues, so I figured pregnancy was statistically impossible. But of course, once I left, the paranoia set in and now I can't stop overthinking everything. I mean, he would have seen something on the ultrasound, wouldn't he?

Regarding my period, it was never reliable to begin with. Right before I started birth control two years ago, my cycle skipped two months entirely, and I decided then that I was done with it—I couldn't deal with carrying pads everywhere at twenty years old just to avoid an embarrassing accident. So, I started the pill, met a guy, and everything worked out fine. In a way, I'd happily go back to them, but then again, if the whole point of the pill is to regulate your cycle, I don't see how they actually helped mine much. 😢 I can't imagine relying solely on condoms, but lately, I've been questioning how healthy these hormones really are, considering I took them for two years and now my symptoms are just as bad, if not worse.

Also, just as an aside. Since I stopped taking the pill a few months ago, my appetite has gone through the roof—I've put on quite a few pounds—and I'm noticing I'm getting much hairier. Thank God I haven't broken out with acne, though I have noticed some on my back.

Hey girls! So, here's the deal... my period is about 5 or 6 days late. I took an at-home pregnancy test and it was negative. Usually, my periods are absolutely brutal—like, I'm constantly ending up in the ER 😢. Anyway, on the first day of my last cycle, I was at this wedding and, well, had a few drinks. It was a lot. Between the period cramps, the alcohol, and just how exhausting weddings can be, I was totally wiped out... so do you think all that stress could be why my period is late? Also, for the last couple of months, my urine has had this super intense, weird smell. Any thoughts? Could that be linked to my period being MIA? p.s. I've got some mild PMS symptoms, but nothing like my usual heavy-duty stuff. I've already booked a doctor's appointment for a few days from now, but I wanted to see if any of you have dealt with anything similar... thanks! 🙂

Honestly, if you ask me, just ditch the hormone pills altogether. They claim to help, but they can totally backfire. I tried birth control for a little while because my periods were always super heavy, and man, it was a disaster. One time, it actually landed me in the ER needing a blood transfusion because the bleeding was just so sudden and intense. After that scare, I was done. Period. Instead, I decided to try some traditional Chinese medicine to manage everything. After finishing one treatment course, things have been awesome—knock on wood—for like 5 or 6 years now. No more gyno issues at all. My cycle is super regular, too. I get a little crampy on day one (no Advil needed!), and day two is a bit heavier, but it’s nothing compared to the nightmare I had a decade ago. Everything feels totally normal to me now, which is how it should be. A period is just a part of life, right?
Just cut down on the stress, stop worrying so much, live a healthy lifestyle, and get outside for some fresh air... everything eventually falls into place.

Taylor Smith3 said:And yeah, just a quick heads-up—since I stopped taking the pill a few months back, I’ve basically been eating like there's no tomorrow (put on a few pounds) and I’ve noticed I'm getting way hairier. Thankfully, the acne hasn't kicked in, though I have spotted some on my back.

So, that’s really it—you just have to work your way back to a "healthier" baseline. For some people, it’s enough to just drop a few pounds, get moving—meaning walking or jogging for at least 30 minutes a day—and cut out the sugar. If you pair that with some decent herbal tea or even just a simple detox, manage your stress levels, things tend to settle back into place. As for me, I actually managed to get my cycles back on track over the last few months—though this current one has stretched out a bit longer than usual, and I know exactly why that is. I quit smoking, but then I started eating more, and well, everything else too... mashed potatoes and holiday parties were everywhere, and I just wasn't being careful, nor was I exercising. So now, I have to get back to a healthy routine because, up until now, I had managed to get my PCOS under control quite well; my ovaries were completely clear, and my overall health and cycles were great and predictable. I wish you luck—you can definitely handle this (assuming you've decided to go pill-free) 👍

Sophia Wells72 said:It really comes down to returning to a more balanced lifestyle. For some people, losing a few pounds, getting active through daily walks or light jogs for at least thirty minutes, and cutting out processed sugar is enough. Adding some herbal tea or focusing on a bit of detoxification while managing stress usually helps everything settle back into place. Personally, I managed to regulate my cycles quite well over the last few months, though this current one has stretched out longer than usual, and I am fully aware of why. I quit smoking, which led to increased appetite, and between all the holiday dinners and heavy sides, I haven't been particularly disciplined or active lately. Now, I need to get back into a healthy routine because I had finally managed to stabilize my PCOS; my ovaries were clear, and my overall health and cycle timing were excellent. I wish you the best of luck—if you have decided against hormonal birth control, you can certainly manage 👍
.

Ha, perhaps I wouldn't be so hesitant if I weren't seeing someone. As it stands, I am almost tempted to go back on the pill simply because I cannot stand using condoms 😢 thanks for the kind words, and I will check back in once things have settled down (if they ever do).

My period finally arrived today, 🙂 though I can't help but worry about what might happen if next month doesn't follow suit; there's just this lingering uncertainty regarding how these remaining hormonal shifts are going to settle.

Please, I need some advice!

So, I gave birth about fourteen months ago, and my cycle seemed to have returned to a completely normal rhythm until this month. I recently dealt with some inflammation, so I’ve been using the vaginal suppositories and the Johnson & Johnson cream that my OB-GYN suggested. Well, my period arrived two days ago—following the usual PMS symptoms—but it’s incredibly light, barely enough to fill a pantyliner, and it has these strange, cottage cheese-like textures. I guess I just panicked, so I called my doctor today, and she told me to come back in at the end of the week. I’m wondering, what could this possibly be? I've never experienced anything quite like this before.

Michelle Sanchez55 said:What causes those heavy flows?? On day one it’s light, kind of pinkish, a little painful, but nothing crazy. But day two? I absolutely have to wear two layers of pants everywhere I go because blood is literally running down my legs. Not even exaggerating. I’m wearing double socks, underwear, boxers, tights, AND pants, and it still leaks through... no joke. On that second day, it’s just pouring out of me—straight blood, no mucus. By day three it’s back to normal, and the whole thing lasts six days. Is that enough of a reason to hit up the OBGYN?

Just grab some tampons 🤷 and pads for extra backup. I deal with the exact same thing on day two, so I just load up on supplies and swap them out constantly. No biggie.

Also, Vitamin C is a total pro tip. Pop a 500 or 1000 mg tablet once or twice a day, especially when you know you'll be moving around a lot, and it really cuts down the bleeding. (I used this trick to get through several summer music festivals without any issues..)

One more thing: pain meds can actually make the bleeding worse. Advil and Motrin are a disaster for this. You're better off sticking to Tylenol and/or maybe a muscle relaxant, like Buscopan.

Hey everyone!

So, for the past year, I've been consistently taking Diane 35 for birth control, and honestly, everything felt totally fine since I didn't experience any side effects at all! At least as far as the pills go, my cycles were super predictable and they weren't even painful anymore, which was a huge relief. 🙂
I finished up my very last pack last month and had a perfectly normal period right on schedule, but then things got a little weird because my period was supposed to start three days ago and it just hasn't shown up yet. Does anyone know if this delay is just a direct result of me stopping the birth control, and am I going to end up getting it a bit late?
Just to be clear, we always used protection with condoms during sex, so pregnancy definitely shouldn't be an option here.

Diane 35 is typically prescribed for PCOS—though I suppose I don't know if you actually had your hormone levels checked or an ovarian ultrasound performed prior to starting birth control?
If your cycles were already irregular before this, then it’s quite likely just a matter of hormonal imbalance; it doesn't necessarily mean you have both "combination" pills and polycystic ovaries simultaneously.
Usually, once you stop taking the pill, things tend to revert to their previous state—meaning your cycle might get a bit "messy" or longer again. That's why we often refer to them as "masks" in PCOS cases; they essentially just touch up the symptoms while you're on them.

If you haven't had any formal hormone testing done up to this point, then I would strongly suggest you do so. Your OB-GYN can write you a referral, and you really ought to check your LH, FSH (their ratio is quite important), prolactin, estradiol, free testosterone, total testosterone, progesterone, androstenedione, DHEAS, and your thyroid levels. 🙂

Sarah Bennett58 said:Grab some tampons 🤷 and a pad just to be safe. I deal with the same heavy flow on day two—I basically just stuff myself with them and swap them out constantly, and honestly, no biggie.

+ Vitamin C is actually a game changer. Just pop a 500 or 1000 mg tablet once or twice a day, especially when you know you’ll be running around a lot, and it seriously cuts down the bleeding. (I survived a few summer music festivals just like that without any drama...)

One more thing—painkillers can actually make the bleeding worse; Advil and Motrin are a total disaster. Better to stick with Tylenol and/or maybe a muscle relaxant, like Buscopan.

I don't think you realize how much flooding we're talking about here.🙏 A tampon (+ a pad) used to get completely soaked on me in like 20 minutes.😲😲

I'm gonna try that Vitamin C thing. It would be freaking amazing if it actually works!😛

Too little too late for me right now, though. My period is already wrapping up!🤣🤣

Grace Chase97 said:I don't think you realize just how much flooding we're talking about here.🙏 For me, a tampon and pad combo would be totally soaked in maybe 20 minutes.😲😲

I'll give that Vitamin C thing a shot. It’d be awesome if it actually worked!😛

Too bad it's a bit late for me now, though. My period is basically wrapping up!🤣 🤣

I had similar heavy bleeding when I was taking Advil for cramps. Okay, maybe not quite 20 minutes, but within an hour, things were getting pretty messy... Either way, it's probably worth seeing a gynecologist (even if everything feels fine, obviously).

So, I've been on Diane 35 for about 14 months now, and before I even thought about stopping, I actually posted on some forums to ask what my first period would be like. Most girls there said theirs was at least a few days late before things finally leveled out, and my best friend even told me hers was delayed by like 13 whole days! Well, mine totally caught me off guard because it showed up three days earlier than usual—which is how it normally goes when you're on the pill—not to mention the total nightmare of leaking through my clothes during class, which happened like 17 days ago. And then, I wake up today and it's like 😕 just absolutely flooding me again after being gone for two and a half weeks. Not to even mention how much discharge I'm dealing with lately when I'm not bleeding; I feel like I have to change my liners multiple times a day because, honestly, heavy-duty pads are probably the only way to go 🙄 it's just gross. Some days my pants get so soaked that it makes those bad days when I'm not on my period feel a hundred times worse 👎, and then you add this sudden bleeding back into the mix. I'm seriously counting down the days until I can get back on my regular pills 😢 Has anyone else dealt with anything similar?

Michelle Sanchez55 said:What causes these heavy flows?? On the first day it’s light, kind of pinkish, slightly painful, but nothing crazy. But by the second day, I have to wear two layers of pants everywhere I go because the blood just runs down my legs. Not exaggerating. I’m wearing double socks, underwear, boxers, tights, and pants, and it still leaks... the entire second day it's literally pouring out of me, pure blood without any mucus. By the third day it returns to normal, and the whole thing lasts six days. Is that enough reason to see a gynecologist?

Usually my period is pretty standard—heavy, lasts six days, manageable. But this month😲 since I stopped taking birth control, I can't even think about using tampons for the first two or three days due to the cramps. Luckily I'm on medical leave, otherwise I would've made a massive mess at work today🙄 now I'm experiencing the same thing as you on day two. I had to buy those extra-absorbent maxi pads because the thin ones don't stand a chance. I stuffed two large overnight pads into my underwear; I'm waddling around like a duck and it's just flooding out of me. Whether I walk or lie down, I fill them up within an hour... thinking about going back on the pill.

really love being a woman😠

I feel like my period lasts far too long, and it’s becoming quite frustrating. It always arrives about three to six days late, which isn't necessarily a problem since I enjoy having the extra free time. However, once it starts, the first few days are heavy, followed by nearly a week of light spotting. By the time it actually finishes, I’ve been dealing with it for almost fourteen days straight. While the duration itself isn't the issue, the constant need to wear pads for half a month is incredibly irritating.

Is there any way to shorten this cycle without turning to birth control pills?
It is heartbreaking when my friends tell me they can stop using pads after just five days. 🙂

Sandra Mitchell90 said:My period is usually pretty standard—strong, lasts about six days, nothing crazy—but this month is a whole different beast.😲 Since I haven't been on the pills for like two or three days, I can't even think about tampons because the cramps are that bad—seriously. Thank God I’m calling out sick today, otherwise I would've absolutely lost it at the office.🙄I feel you—I’ve been going through it for two days now. I actually had to go out and grab those heavy-duty maxi pads because my thin ones just don't stand a chance. I ended up stuffing two of the big overnight ones in my underwear... honestly, I’m walking like a total duck right now. It’s constant—whether I'm walking or just lying around, I'm soaking through them in an hour. It's ridiculous.Think I'm going back on the pill.

Man, I just really wanna be a local. 😠

Man, I’ve been dodging the pill forever—but apparently, fate had other plans for me!🙄
I might actually miss my exam because of this period—seriously, what a joke.🙏 😢

Man, I really hope they're running late!🙂

What do you guys think—is the stress actually speeding her up or just throwing everything into delay mode?🙏

So, for the last three or four months, my periods have been incredibly short—only lasting about two days. One month, it was just some brownish spotting. On top of that, my cycle has dropped to about 21 or 22 days, when it used to be a steady 30 to 32 days. Has anyone else dealt with something similar? Should I be worried?

I think I might be asking this in the right place... Is it actually possible for my period to be late after using vaginal suppositories? I was dealing with some mild vaginal inflammation and used them for 14 days straight. Now, my cycle is running behind schedule...

rustywalker89 said:So, here’s the situation—my last three cycles have been incredibly short, lasting only about two days each. To make matters even more confusing, the third one was nothing more than some light brown spotting. On top of that, my cycle length has dropped to around 21 or 22 days, whereas it used to be a much more predictable 30 to 32 days. I guess I’m wondering if any of you have dealt with similar shifts... should I actually be concerned about this?

If this has been dragging on for this long—and if your cycle is already all out of whack—then I suppose you really ought to go get your hormone levels checked. You should probably have a gynecologist take a look at your ovaries via ultrasound, too. It’s entirely possible that you might just be dealing with a bit of heightened stress lately.

shadowheron19 said:I was wondering—is it actually possible for your period to be late after using vaginal suppositories? I had a bit of a minor infection, so I used those treatments for about 14 days straight... and now my cycle is running behind schedule.

Not quite. It’s really our hormones that dictate the cycle—specifically ovarian function—which, in turn, is influenced by a massive web of variables. We’re talking about how stress levels, underlying health issues (like thyroid dysfunction, for instance), general lifestyle choices, diet, and even genetic predispositions all converge to impact those hormonal fluctuations. It’s a complex system, I suppose.