Period talk: Questions and advice

Kate Price27 said:🙂
Man, if only we all had fast metabolisms like that...
I'm really glad things are looking up for you, though I hope there isn't anything actually wrong health-wise.

I honestly thought it might be a diet, because I went through something similar with a super strict regimen about a year ago...
🙂

No, wait—I meant the health of those friends who were dieting. Being overweight isn't great for your heart or your arteries... For me, back when I had that incredibly stressful, high-pressure job six months ago, I dropped down to about 120 pounds. Not only did I look terrible—just pale and washed out—but I felt awful too. I was eating plenty, but it didn't matter when you're working nine-hour shifts on your feet, running all over the city in heels... My sweet spot is around 130 pounds, and I'll probably hit that eventually... though once I get pregnant, even that will feel like too much. 😉 Please, don't go doing any more extreme diets; it's seriously dangerous for your body! Missing a period is just one small part of all the other issues intense dieting causes. Some of my friends were doing this crazy zero-carb thing... to this day, I have no idea how they didn't pass out. Just imagine cutting carbs out completely when you were overdoing them just yesterday. It’s much better to ease into it... maybe start by cutting back on bread, then gradually reduce carbs over time instead of doing what they did...

If pregnancy is off the table, then we’re looking at stress. It’s best to consult a physician to get this sorted out properly.

So, I’m dealing with some issues with my cycle again. It’s late—again. It always seems to be. Last summer, I actually went three whole months without one. I had my baby back in January, and since then, I've lost a ton of weight... I just feel exhausted all the time, like I just want to curl up somewhere and sleep. My diet is okay, mostly, but whenever hunger hits, I immediately reach for carbs for that quick energy boost, even though they don't really sustain me. Then I try to follow up with enough protein and healthy fats, but it doesn't seem to help much. Now, I'm expecting it soon, but it’s nowhere to be found. I know I'm not pregnant—that's a given since it's just me—but even though I try to eat enough, it feels like I'm burning through energy faster than I can take it in. Honestly, I don't even have much of an appetite lately. I'm just counting down the days until my little one starts preschool so I can get back to running... physical activity usually helps jumpstart my appetite. I don't know. Does anyone have any advice? I realize it’s probably a mix of stress and inconsistent eating habits, but I just can't seem to get my nutrition on track. I eat like a lion—I'll overindulge and then feel unsatisfied for the rest of the day. I'm thinking about heading to my OB-GYN if things don't normalize in a week or two. 😢

My cycle has never been regular.
Honestly, I find it hard to believe anyone actually gets theirs on a perfect 28-day loop.
For the last two years, I’ve been looking at a 40 to 42-day stretch. My breasts ache for a full week before my period hits—it gets so tender even my bra feels restrictive—and I become an emotional wreck, crying over the smallest things like some spoiled brat.😍
When this pattern first started, my OBGYN put me on some hormone replacement therapy, something like Cyclo-Progynova, meant for a six-month stint. It was brutal. I was vomiting, dealing with splitting headaches, and ended up quitting the medication on my own after just a few days because I couldn't take it.
Before I finally accepted that a "regular" cycle isn't part of my biology, I spent every single month running to the pharmacy for another pregnancy test.
Now, I've mostly just made my peace with it.

I'm inclined to agree, maybe it's worth paying a visit to Ginić's

So, here’s the deal: I had my period start on November 2nd and it wrapped up by the 5th. But then, out of nowhere, on November 9th, I started bleeding again. It wasn't really a normal period, though—it was more like this dark, brownish-red discharge rather than bright red blood. I am currently on Demonique, by the way. Anyway, it stopped today, but honestly? I don't even think it was an actual period. It felt more like some weird spotting or discharge...

Hannah Bishop said:I had my period from November 2nd through the 5th, but then on the 9th, I started bleeding again. It wasn't like a normal period, though—it was darker, almost a brownish-red discharge rather than bright red blood. I'm currently taking Diane. It stopped again today, but looking back, I don't think it was an actual period; it felt more like weird spotting...

How long have you been on Diane? If you just started recently, this could easily be breakthrough bleeding. It’s pretty common while your body is still trying to figure out how to handle the synthetic hormones.

I actually used them myself about two or three years back, but then my endocrinologist decided to pull the plug on them earlier this year, so I've just been trying them out again for maybe a month or two lately.

Hannah Bishop said:I used them about two or three years ago, but my endocrinologist took me off them earlier this year, and then I started back up again maybe a month or two ago.

It’s likely just breakthrough bleeding. It sounds like you're dealing with some hormonal fluctuations—especially since you mentioned your endocrinologist discontinued them previously. Honestly, I don't think it's anything else. Still, if you're feeling uneasy about it, go see a gynecologist for an urgent ultrasound and a Pap smear.

Alright, thanks for the tip. I’m pretty sure that’s what’s going on too...

Just wanted to check in—my cycle is finally starting to regulate itself again. I went three months without anything, and now it’s down to just under two. I mentioned my issues earlier in the thread... I actually haven't made it to the OBGYN yet because life has been such a constant grind lately. I kept telling myself I'd go tomorrow, then the day after, and so on, until my period just showed up again. Hopefully, this means things are slowly getting back on track...

Frank Watson5 said:I didn't even get a chance to go see my doctor because I've been absolutely slammed with everything on my plate lately.

So you didn't even have a spare second to call them and ask if what you're feeling is actually normal after giving birth?

Kimberly Davis52 said:You didn't even have a moment to call and ask if this was normal after giving birth?

Well, my parents are both doctors—not OB-GYNs, mind you—so I just talked to them. Since they already understood everything I’d been through and the stress I was under, they weren't really shocked... so I didn't feel the need to reach out to anyone else...

I am desperately seeking some advice here!

The truth is, my menstrual cramps have become absolutely unbearable!
It reaches a point where I feel like I’m actually losing my mind!
It all kicks off with a slight fever around 99 degrees, followed by tender breasts and a heavy pressure in my lower back, but then the real devastation sets in.😲
My hips go ice cold, I start getting nauseous, my stomach bloats until I look five months pregnant, and the headaches are just splitting! Not to mention how difficult it is to even sit upright because my blood pressure spikes so intensely.
Last night was particularly traumatic; I woke up in such a massive hemorrhage that it reached my knees, and I had to throw my pajamas straight into the trash since they were completely ruined. I went to see my OB-GYN, but her response was basically just a shrug, telling me that this is just how it is and there isn't much to be done, even though I feel like I'm dying every three weeks.😲

If anyone here has gone through something similar or knows of any way to manage this, please, I am begging you to share your wisdom, because you know just how agonizing and humiliating this experience truly is.😢
Thank you all so much in advance.🙂

I swear by Knavon Forte. I pop a pill the second I realize my period is starting, and within about 15 minutes, it kicks in. Sometimes it keeps me feeling totally chill for up to 12 hours.

I had a similar experience, though I wasn't quite as vocal about it. I was at the point where I felt like I needed five or six Advil tablets just to get through the day, until my OBGYN suggested starting birth control. Once I started on Yasmin, everything just stopped...

It’s honestly better to start on the pills before things actually kick in, rather than waiting until the first day of your period... I usually take one Advil about three or four days beforehand... makes everything way more manageable... you really have to stay one step ahead of the pain 👍

😘

Carol Reed19 said:I rely on Knavon forte. I take one as soon as my period starts. It kicks in after about 15 minutes, and sometimes I'm good for up to 12 hours.

Knavon forte is a lifesaver. Honestly, I wouldn't make it through those days without it...

Harold Stewart3 said:It’s better to take something before the pain hits, rather than waiting until your period actually starts... I take an Advil about 3 or 4 days beforehand... makes things way easier... you have to get ahead of the pain 👍

😘

That's the truth. Once the pain really kicks in, you're already losing the battle. You want to know my other trick? When it starts, I put something hot on my stomach. I used to heat up a towel with a clothes iron, but since I can't be walking around constantly, I just use a hair dryer on my belly to keep the heat steady. Usually stops the pain in about 15 minutes.

Susan Vaughn46 said:That’s just facts. Once you let the pain really start to set in, you're basically done for. And you know my little trick? When it starts acting up, I grab something warm for my stomach. I used to heat up a towel with a clothes iron and lay it on, but since I can't be walking around all day anymore, I just use a hair dryer. Hold it against my stomach so it stays warm... usually stops the ache in about 15 minutes.

Yeah, heating the stomach feels great... unless you're dealing with appendicitis 😉
Back when I still had my appendix, they told me absolutely no heat allowed. Now that it's gone... 👍