[Monty_girl]

Ok, I need some help with my periods. I don't know how to track when I'll get my period. I know it sounds strange coming from a 36 yr old woman. But I've never had anyone explain to me how to like track when I'll get my period.

I've had my periods since I was 10yrs old. I got my first period a few days after I started 5th grade. Having my period has always been a horrible experience. Since I didn't have anyone to help me understand what was happening and how to care for myself during this time, this has always been something shameful to me. When I was young and then into my teens I always had a lot of accidents with my period. No one ever bought me pads or anything like that. I used to use the toilet paper as a pad when I was really young. As a teen I would steal money from people to buy things like pads and lunch at school, things I needed. It wasn't until I was 17 and on the pill did I know when I would have my period. And for the last 10 yrs or so I've not really had much of a period, maybe spot one day or two.

Ok, so now that they took me off the pill ( going to another doctor soon to see if they will give me the pill ) I don't know when I'll get my periods. I could really use some help in like how to tell when I'll get my period. I know 28 days, but when do I start to count the days??

[Rhapsody]

When one goes off the pill the body decides when it will start having a period again.... it is usually within one to three months of taking the last pill...... your period will flow once your body goes through ovulation again.

[deliquesce]

for me, especially because i have a mood disorder, my periods aren't very regular. but i still find it helpful to have a ball park figure, so i count by 28 days also.

so if i get my period on a wednesday, then i count 28 days from when it first comes (i.e., not when it ends). usually my periods will fall a few days earlier/later than the predicted date or sometimes they will not come at all, but i know my sisters get it like clock work.

like raph said though, your body might take a while after coming off the pill also to adjust.

[Michah]

Monty, when you get them are you in a lot of pain?, heavy bleeding for a long or short period of time? Spotting in between periods? What kind of sanitary method are you using sweetie? Pads or tampons.......

Have you had a pap smear? Do you have a gyneacologist? Sorry lots of questions.......

Babe, if you have any specifics to ask, I am more than happy to answer......my whole life is centred around menstruation!(I am perimenopausal and have endometriosis and adenomyosis).

We are here.......

Michah

[Monty_girl]

Hey Michah, yeah I've had a pap just a few weeks ago, that's when they took me off my pill. They said my blood pressure was too high. But it was high from the anxiety from having a pap and having to sit in the clinic for 4 hours waiting for my turn.
I have really really bad periods, 7-10 days of heavy non-stop bleeding. I'm pretty much out of anything during those days. That's the reason I started the pill in the first place. I was missing at least a week of school every month. My head felt like it would explored at any moment to the point I couldn't see. Just the worst of the worst. To the point of being and attempting suicide during my periods. Just horrible mood swings. I don't know if I had spotting or not, because before I was on the pill I didn't know how to count the days and know when I was suppose to be on my period or not. With my pill I had the green pills to tell me when I would be on my period.I use pads. Using a tampon would just be to triggering for me. Too much to handle.

Thanks Deliquesce, That was very helpful. I didn't know where to start the count at. Even if I'm not regular for awhile at least I know when it might come and be ready. I'm very afaird of having an accident.

Hey Rhapsody, I hope it doesn't take long to get regular again. All I think about is being pregnant 24/7. Pregnant ppl scare me. The belly and having something growing in there. Something about it really really scares me. I've not been able to be around any of my friends or my sister during the months that they were pregnant. I don't know why I'm so scared of them. Just an overwhelming fear that something horrible is going to happen to them. Like their about to be attacked by ppl or something. And I can't be near them when it happens. hmmm, need to stop.

[Michah]

Originally Posted by Monty_girl

Hey Michah, yeah I've had a pap just a few weeks ago, that's when they took me off my pill. They said my blood pressure was too high.The pill can cause high blood pressure and worse case, blood clots, unfortunately But it was high from the anxiety from having a pap and having to sit in the clinic for 4 hours waiting for my turn.Yep, know that one!! I have to take valium before my poor gynea can even touch me! But he is wonderful so I am very lucky
I have really really bad periods, 7-10 days of heavy non-stop bleeding.Have you had an abdominal ultrasound? Do you get severe bloating, lower back pain, radiating pain down the front or back of your legs? I'm pretty much out of anything during those days. That's the reason I started the pill in the first place. I was missing at least a week of school every month. My head felt like it would explored at any moment to the point I couldn't see. Just the worst of the worst. To the point of being and attempting suicide during my periods.This is called pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder. I also have this.....I have just started HRT for this and peri.....have they discussed other options for you? Zoloft is the anti-depressant of choice as well if you can take them. You really need to get that sorted babe. It is NOT pleasant. Just horrible mood swings. I don't know if I had spotting or not, because before I was on the pill I didn't know how to count the days and know when I was suppose to be on my period or not. With my pill I had the green pills to tell me when I would be on my period.I use pads. Using a tampon would just be to triggering for me. Too much to handle.Yep, I can't use tampons either......the first time I tried I threw up and fainted! Pads are GREAT!

Thanks Deliquesce, That was very helpful. I didn't know where to start the count at. Even if I'm not regular for awhile at least I know when it might come and be ready. I'm very afaird of having an accident.

Hey Rhapsody, I hope it doesn't take long to get regular again. All I think about is being pregnant 24/7. Pregnant ppl scare me. The belly and having something growing in there. Something about it really really scares me. I've not been able to be around any of my friends or my sister during the months that they were pregnant. I don't know why I'm so scared of them. Just an overwhelming fear that something horrible is going to happen to them. Like their about to be attacked by ppl or something. And I can't be near them when it happens. hmmm, need to stop.

babe, you really need to get your hormones checked with a blood test(Blah!! .....yuck, do not like those) but need to be done......oestrogen, LHFSH, testosterone, progesterone etc. Your headaches, although common during ovulation or menstruation, are bordering on migraines, your bleeding is execissevly heavy and there are few other inconsistancies........a thyroid check would be helpful as well(TSH, T3, T4 etc) Thyroid problems can effect menstruation.......I don't want to scare you babe, as this is probably NOT the case, but needs to be explored.

You DESERVE to feel better!

Good luck, sweetie.......the invitation to talk is still open......

[Maven]

You can also use an online tool to track your periods:

http://www.mymonthlycycles.com/

[Rhapsody]

Once you start getting your period again..... you count 28 days from the day your period started and that is when you should get your next period.... giving a day or two allowance for people that go 30 days instead of the average 28 days in between periods.

Basically four weeks from the first day of your last period.

I always start counting the 28 days the day after my last period ended.
I've always done it that way.

[thinker22]

My periods used to be terribly regular, so I could always figure them out. They started exactly 21 days after the last day of my period. It went that way until last year when I got on birth control. I'm on my 4th different one but all of them have made me have irregular periods. Right now I've been bleeding for 14 of the last 17 days and not lightly either. It sucks big time. Only a 3 days break last week. My periods used to last 6-8 days, now I never know. I feel so weak and tired. Made an appt w/the gyn for next week, but I hope I can make it until then. How can a person have that much tissue/blood inside them I wonder?

So in answer to your question, b/c makes periods irregular for me, so I figure that your body will balance itself out soon and have a cycle every 21-28 days. If not, definitely talk to your gyn doctor.

Anyone else have problems like I'm describing out of curiosity? I'm kinda worried as this is the longest period I've ever had.

[deliquesce]

(((thinker)))

i've had superlong periods before, and they are completely draining (eww, eww - no pun intended ). both physically and emotionally. for me, it was triggered by emotional stuff (my cycle always goes crazy when i get stressed - either stop altogether for months, or goes into overdrive) - i've never been on the pill.

but i hope your gyn can help you out - it does sound like something that needs to be looked at quite seriously. don't underestimate the emotional toll it will take on you, too.

[thinker22]

It's definitely contributing to my mood issues. Still haven't stopped bleeding. Gyn says she's not sure what's causing it. Don't know what's happening. Just hope it goes away while the drs confer. She gave me a new b/c pill to try.

[deliquesce]

can they not give you something to stop it for a while, at least? good luck with the new bc pill. i hope they can find something suitable for you soon .

[Rhapsody]

How about taking a Rx for Mood Swings/PMS/PMDD? - like Serafem or Celexa

[thinker22]

I tried Celexa (citalopram) last fall for depression, but it made me feel tired, irritable, and weak...just like every SSRI & SSNRI. So probably won't help with PMS symptoms. Still bleeding today, so this is day 17 since it started. It's a wonder I have any strength or any blood left! Sorry all this wound up on your post Monty_girl. I'll cut it out. Please PM me to reply from now on to this issue. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts.

I hope your period starts getting regular M_girl.

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by thinker22

I tried Celexa (citalopram) last fall for depression, but it made me feel tired, irritable, and weak..

I have found that Celexa works best when taken at night.... the tired and weak feeling goes away.
Serafem is for PMS/PMDD and does not carry the same tired feeling with it.

((( hugs )))

[thinker22]

Finally stopped bleeding. Maybe it's the new birth control pills. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. Sorry again to usurp your post girl.

[Peppermint_Patty]

Hi Thinker,

Originally Posted by thinker22

Finally stopped bleeding. Maybe it's the new birth control pills. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. Sorry again to usurp your post girl.

Does your doctor have you on any iron pills? I am just wondering because heavy periods like that can make a person have anemia.

[thinker22]

Nope, but I take some supplements anyway because I get tired and weak every time I'm on my period. Of course, I'm tired and weak even when off of it these days. My blood tests say my iron/hemoglobin is normal.

Sorry again to usurp your post Monty_girl. Please PM me in the future. Thanks again everyone for their thoughts.

[Maven]

Autumn, you do the count from the first day of your last period. That's what they always ask at the gyno, too (when was the first day of your last period).

[Monty_girl]

thinker22, you are fine, I don't have a problem with the way the thread has gone. The thread evolved into a discusion and I think that it benefits more ppl when it evolves the way it has.

I did find a website I'm using to track my periods. It came out to start on the 28th day like it's suppose to. The only problem I've really been having a hard time with is my body adjusting to not have the hormones like it used to. I've had mood swings and hot flashes like crazy these last few weeks. Is why I've not really been around much, I just haven't felt good. And NO energy what so ever. We recently joined a new gym that has exercise classes. ( old one didn't have classes or machines that worked, and after the AC went out in the place and they wouldn't fix it, we switched gyms ) But the exercise classes seemed to have helped me. More energy and my hot flashes have stopped. Think my body just needed a kick to start working on it's own again.

I have an appointment on the 28th about an IUD, but that's the day I'm suppose to start again. So I'm not sure what they'll do that day. Was the only day they had open for an appointment. If I can't get anything done there I'm making a 2 hour trip to another clinic.

[thinker22]

Good luck on the appt and everything. Exercise is something I need to do more of! I think I'll make it my 2010 New Year's resolution.

[lonelyinacrowd]

i was taken off the pill when i was in my early 30's bc i smoke & my age. my cycles became so horrible, the first couple of days i had to stay curled up in a ball and the bleeding was so heavy, well, i'll save you the gore; sometimes lasting 9-10 days. it sounds very similar to you. i complained to my dr constantly and she agreed to let me have a partial hysterectormy (sp). it was the best thing i ever did. no hormone problem bc i still have my ovaries. i should also mention i had hpv but 15 yrs ago it was just called cervical cancer, that may have helped me get the procedure. if you're not considering getting pregnant it might be good to talk to dr.