Period talk: Questions and advice

Woke up this morning with a low fever and those typical body aches you get with the flu. No sore throat, no coughing, no sneezing, nothing—not even any stomach issues. The only thing I can think of is that my period started yesterday (right on schedule, too).
Has this ever happened to anyone else, or should I be worried? A friend of mine always runs a fever during her cycle, but she’s dealt with that forever. Is it possible I just developed this syndrome after nine years, or could it be something more serious? :S

Ladies,

I apologize if this post doesn't perfectly fit the topic. I am looking for women who experience the same menstrual pain that I do.
I intend to create an art project centered on this theme. I want to share this gift I have received, and perhaps others feel the same way.
I have read that other women suffer from similar pains, though I have yet to meet any personally.
The pain is difficult to describe. It is debilitating. It causes nausea and pulls at the body.
If anyone would like to participate, please send me a private message.

Best regards,

There’s actually an existing thread on this subforum regarding that—specifically touching on those intense, debilitating pains. It’s something a lot of people deal with, and unfortunately, some end up struggling for a very long time. The causes can vary wildly, but before we dive into the weeds, could you clarify exactly what we're looking at here? Are we talking about an art project, a specific talent, or something else entirely? I'm asking just so we can determine whether this warrants being included in our PDF or not. 😉

The pain is real, despite any sarcasm. Regarding the project, I intend to manifest this physical suffering so people can witness the true power of nature.
People who have not witnessed me in this state cannot grasp why I must leave work immediately upon an onset, or why walking and standing become impossible.
Three months ago, during my college enrollment period, I suffered an accident because I did not have my medication on hand. It was the final day of registration. I felt the onset while at work, and predictably, my medication was left at home. Under current regulations, you cannot simply walk into a pharmacy and buy pain relief without a prescription; you must endure it.
I pushed myself to the campus to complete the enrollment while I was still mobile. I requested priority assistance due to my condition, but the wait was too long, and by the time I reached the front, everything had fallen apart.
The reaction from others was telling. They saw my condition clearly. I fought to remain seated to avoid collapsing, but within five minutes, I was completely incapacitated and likely pale. Despite this, she continued her trivial chatter about how and why.
Fortunately, a friend was nearby in the city when I needed to leave. She accompanied me and arranged transportation. Once I finished the enrollment and exited the building, I collapsed onto the grass and could go no further.
Out of the entire crowd present, only one woman approached to ask if I needed medical assistance or an ambulance.
Perhaps I have drifted from the subject.

As for the project, my plan is to relive that experience. I will forgo analgesics and simply wait. My specific goal is secondary; any reaction serves the purpose.
I have a crew prepared for this. I envision filming in late spring or summer. We operate out of Washington, D.C. If anyone else wishes to join, it would enrich the narrative.
Why is this art rather than a documentary? I do not want excessive narration; that would diminish the impact. Contemporary art is raw and uncompromising. Other artists utilize various substances to capture bodily reactions. I intend to capture the natural response, devoid of all pills or narcotics.

If anyone wishes to participate, I would welcome it. However, I only accept those with a genuine desire to do so. I do not wish for anyone to suffer merely for my sake.
I hope this provides clarity.🙂

Thank you.

Hey everyone! I’m honestly not even sure where to post this, so I figured I'd just drop it here... 😕
My period was supposed to show up on the 28th, but since it usually hits about 3 or 4 days late anyway, I wasn't really sweating it. Then I started seeing this brownish discharge, followed by some reddish bits, so I just assumed my period was finally making its grand entrance the next day. But instead, that dark, reddish discharge just kept dragging on for an entire week... now I'm stuck wondering what the move is. Should I go see a doctor right away, or just wait a few more days to see if things settle down and my actual period actually shows up? Maybe it's just some kind of infection... has anyone else dealt with this before? Thanks in advance 😉

Hey everyone, I could use some advice. Here’s the situation: my period was supposed to start on the 10th last month. It was three days late, and I thought I might be pregnant because instead of my usual flow, I just had this brown spotting for about six days. Then my breasts started aching and I had that specific discharge you get right before a period starts. I figured I’d wait about twenty days before taking a test, so I planned to do it today, but then my period actually showed up last night. It was a full period, too. Based on my regular cycle, I shouldn't have been due until January 20th. So, it arrived about ten days early, which has honestly never happened to me before. 🤷

Hey,

So, this is about my girlfriend. Her cycle has pretty much always landed between the 12th and the 15th of the month... but things got weird about three months ago. She had her period on the 15th, it lasted five days, and then just 11 days later she was bleeding again—another five days—which put it right at the 2nd of the month. Since then, it’s stayed on that 2nd of the month schedule...

I'm wondering how normal it is for a cycle to shift like this?

thanks

placidtinker9 said:Hey,

So, this is about my girlfriend. Usually, her cycle is pretty predictable—she gets her period somewhere between the 12th and the 15th of the month. But about three months ago, things got weird. She had her period on the 15th, which lasted five days, and then just 11 days later, she started bleeding again (that also lasted five days), so it was around the 2nd of the next month. After that, her next one came after another 30 days, right back to the 2nd of the month.

I guess I'm wondering how normal it is for something like this to happen?

thanks

Well, when something like this happens, you really should just go see an OB-GYN for an exam and an ultrasound. You shouldn't be looking for a diagnosis from someone who isn't a doctor. If she actually had a full period only 11 days after the last one, then maybe she should really head to a clinic ASAP...

Sophia White8 said:Look, when things like this happen, you go see an OB-GYN for an exam and an ultrasound—you don't expect a diagnosis from someone without a medical degree. If she actually got her period just 11 days later, then yeah, she really needs to run to the doctor...

The issue is just being irresponsible, which is exactly what I told her...

And the thing is, now that those 11 days have passed, her cycle is back to a normal 30-day rhythm—just starting from a new date...

So, I need to head in for some blood work in about 2 to 5 days, but I’ve run into a bit of a timing issue. Basically, my actual period only started yesterday morning with bright red blood, but then two days before that, I noticed just a few little spots of old, dried blood on my underwear. Before those spots showed up, there was absolutely nothing going on. 😕The big question is: when should I actually start counting Day 1 of my cycle?
Do I count it from when I saw those tiny little spots, or does the clock only start once the heavy flow kicks in?

Day one of your cycle is when you actually get real bleeding, so I guess that light spotting before doesn't really count.

My period is already two and a half months late. I went to see my OB-GYN, and they prescribed Duphaston, insisting that I MUST start bleeding within five days.
Well, it’s now the sixth day, and absolutely nothing has happened.
So now I'm left wondering—what on earth is the issue here? Is it just me, or is something seriously wrong?🤷
Help!

Gotta drop a note here too because, honestly, I’m kind of losing my mind over this... it feels like I get my period on the exact same date every three months, regardless of whether the month has 30 or 31 days, but then that fourth month rolls around and it hits me 5 or 6 days late, and then we just reset back to the same date again... wtf... my cycles have been feeling so weird for the last year or two, even though everything comes back fine on my ultrasounds and my doctor says my kidneys and everything else are totally healthy, but it just feels different than it used to... guess I'm just getting older, I suppose...

Hey everyone!

Is anyone else on here dealing with this same mess, or is it just me?!
For as long as I can remember, my period usually lasts maybe four days tops. The first day is always rough with cramps, but honestly, I can deal with it.
But lately? The last two times I’ve had my period—if you can even call them that anymore—it barely lasted three days. My stomach was killing me, and then, out of nowhere, there was this weird pink discharge that has absolutely nothing to do with a normal cycle. Like, seriously, WTF?? And I use tampons, but these last two times, it felt impossible to even get them in. It just hits a wall, hurts like crazy, and won't go any further...
I am completely lost here. I'm really hoping someone has gone through something similar so they can give me some actual advice..

Thanks 🙂

My cycle is acting strange lately. :|

I started at thirteen—it was my thirteenth birthday, actually 😬
. I can't recall how irregular it was in those early years, but for the last two or three, it was all over the place, maybe once every three months. Eventually, things leveled out and became predictable.
Now, this one arrived earlier than expected. My last period ended around January 2nd or 3rd, but this one showed up on January 22nd.

It caught me completely off guard. 🙄 It felt bizarre; I was just left standing there, stunned. 😁
I should also mention it ended quickly—hardly lasted three days, whereas it usually lasts six, with everything clearing up by day six or seven. Plus, I didn't have any cramps this time.

Strange, isn't it?

Hannah Booth30 said:this whole situation feels pretty weird to me right now. :|

I got my first period when I was 13 (I'm 21 now)... actually, it was right on my 13th birthday 😬
I don't really remember how regular it was at the very start, but I know that for the last two or three years, it was pretty irregular—maybe once every three months or so—and then it finally stabilized and became steady.
And now, this one came a little early... my last one ended around January 2nd or 3rd, but this one started on January 22nd.

It just happened, and I wasn't even ready for it. 🙄 It felt so strange, I was just totally caught off guard 😁
And I should probably mention that it ended quickly, like it barely lasted three days (usually they go for about six days, where the 6th or 7th day is basically nothing)... plus, I didn't have any cramps at all this time.

Strange..

Well, since you're 21, maybe it would be a good idea to talk this over with your OB-GYN? Most things can be regulated, and it might be important for you down the road if you ever decide to get pregnant. In any case, a cycle that comes in less than 21 days isn't exactly standard, so it probably warrants a detailed ultrasound exam with a doctor. Also, just as a heads up, the cycle is usually counted from the first day of bleeding, not from when it ends... so, I guess you should probably see a doctor soon after the bleeding stops...

Hey everyone 😁
I'll drop this here instead of starting a whole new thread. Seems like the right spot.

So, here’s the deal. I usually stick to Always pads—they work for me, nothing fancy. But at the start of my cycle last week, I tried these other thicker ones for a couple of days. Big mistake. My skin is completely irritated now, just a massive rash. It spread everywhere. It was stinging like hell while I was walking those two days, and even though the pain has calmed down, the mark won't budge. It's this dark red, nasty-looking mess.
How do I get rid of this? What should I be putting on it?

Anyway, figured this was the best place to ask. 🙂

Maria Peterson35 said:hey everyone 😁
I figured I wouldn't start a whole new thread and would just drop my question here instead. It felt like the right spot, I guess.

So, here's the thing. I usually stick to Always pads and they've always worked fine for me. They're my go-to. But at the start of my period last week—Friday, I think—I tried some different, thicker Always pads for two days. Well, everything got irritated. I have this sort of rash now. It spread out quite a bit, and it was actually stinging while I was walking those two days, though it feels okay now. The problem is, it isn't going away or fading from my skin. It's turned this dark red color and looks pretty terrible, honestly.
How can I fix this? What kind of cream should I be using?

I just thought this was the best place to ask. 🙂

It's easy enough if the rash is just an allergic reaction to certain pads. But, I suppose if you want the actual right treatment, you really should see a doctor for a checkup. It could be a yeast infection or maybe even a bacterial issue. The specific cream and treatment will depend on what's actually causing the irritation...

I went through this brutal infection recently—the discharge was honestly pretty intense. I saw my OB-GYN and they hooked me up with some vaginal suppositories and a gel, which seemed to do the trick. But then my period hit. It’s been three days now, and usually, I get these killer cramps right before it starts and during the first day, but by day two, things typically settle down. This time? Not so much. I’m on day three and the bleeding is heavy, and the pain is just relentless. I’ve basically been stuck in bed for three days straight because I feel so wiped out. Has anyone else dealt with something like this? Could the infection have messed with my cycle or made everything more painful? :/

I’m looking for some insight here: I missed my period for three months straight due to being overweight. I managed to drop the weight relatively easily and my cycle finally returned two weeks ago. However, I’m currently experiencing all the usual suspects—tender breasts and abdominal cramping. Is this typical behavior while the body recalibrates, or is there a risk that my cycle has shortened to the point where I'll be dealing with this every two or three weeks?

edit: My period just started 😁. I did a bit of digging online and apparently, a shortened cycle is a real possibility. Given that I'm approaching thirty, I think the writing is on the wall. I'll leave this post up for anyone else who might find themselves in the same predicament.