Anyone else have weird periods?

loves2shop4shoes

My are always irregular whenever I'm not on hormonal BC.  Right now, I'm on the Copper IUD, which is non hormonal and my periods are all over the place.  I didn't get a period from October until February.  I've had my period now for over 3 weeks.

Anyone else have similar experiences?

AudgiePodge

Shiity.  I don't have one.  I'm dreading ending BC next month.  Mine were always heavy when I wasn't on BC, but regular, I guess I would say.  Always had major, horrible cramps though when I had it.

bethsmiles

Mine are all over the place too. I get fourish a year but I know that being overweight can mess that up so I'm waiting until I lose the weight to see if it will normalize before I go get anything checked out.

loves2shop4shoes

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_anyone-else-weird-periods?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:03a433ce-3bea-4c43-9599-8b506883cfdaPost:6eaf4c73-7f7b-49de-897b-f172434907a1">Re: Anyone else have weird periods?</a>:
[QUOTE]Mine are all over the place too. I get fourish a year but I know that being overweight can mess that up so I'm waiting until I lose the weight to see if it will normalize before I go get anything checked out.
Posted by bethsmiles[/QUOTE]

<div>Well, you're well on your way.  Props to you for losing 11 pounds already!!</div>

SopChick

Mine have been weird lately too. I'm chalking it up to stress, so I'm hoping now that life has calmed down they'll go back to normal. I'm on BCP, but I still find sometimes they go weird - which could probably be explained by weight.

How do you find the IUD? Other than the period situation I mean. I've been curious about non-hormonal BC for a while.

Beth - congrats on the weight loss so far! Are you following a specific plan? (sorry if you already answered that before)

loves2shop4shoes

I like the IUD.  Insertion hurt like hell, but after that, it's gravy.  It's idiot-proof birth control and it's more effective than getting your tubes tied.  Works for me.

sparkles88

You could try having your hormones checked (i.e. thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, etc.) Hormone irregularities can mess with your cycle. I was on BC from age 13 because my periods were so heavy and irregular that I became anemic and missed a lot of school. When I came off of BC at 22 I had a lot of problems. My cycles were really irregular (months at a time with no period) and my hormones were at the levels of a menopausal woman. I even had hot flashes too. Doctors said that wasn't a problem though. I gave up dealing with them and went back on BC. I doubt I'll ever come off again.

peekaboo2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_anyone-else-weird-periods?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:03a433ce-3bea-4c43-9599-8b506883cfdaPost:df6c8ea0-dc4f-478a-b9ae-27142d55c72b">Re: Anyone else have weird periods?</a>:
[QUOTE]I like the IUD.  Insertion hurt like hell, but after that, it's gravy.  It's idiot-proof birth control and it's more effective than getting your tubes tied.  Works for me.
Posted by loves2shop4shoes[/QUOTE]

Interesting.  I'm a wimp, but I'm also REALLY REALLY bad at remembering to take my pill.  My doctor might smack me if we have to change my BC again (I've changed 4 times in 2 years), but if it's really idiot proof, it might be better for this scatterbrained nut.

Elle1036

You could set your watch by my period.  I occasionally throw it off by upping the exercise or following a stricter diet, but it's usually reliable as a honda.

That said, there's some research emerging that suggests that a regular period isn't necessarily normal or healthy.  I can't find the article because I no longer have a subscription to the database, but I'll look for something similar.

loves2shop4shoes

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_anyone-else-weird-periods?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:03a433ce-3bea-4c43-9599-8b506883cfdaPost:d66a689c-9a5a-42f4-b87e-c44c19d6b848">Re: Anyone else have weird periods?</a>:
[QUOTE]You could set your watch by my period.  I occasionally throw it off by upping the exercise or following a stricter diet, but it's usually reliable as a honda. That said, there's some research emerging that suggests that a regular period isn't necessarily normal or healthy.  I can't find the article because I no longer have a subscription to the database, but I'll look for something similar.
Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

<div>*One eyebrow raises* I'm intrigued.</div>

Elle1036

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_anyone-else-weird-periods?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:03a433ce-3bea-4c43-9599-8b506883cfdaPost:8fd3a39d-30a8-420c-be04-b13ecd01b5ec">Re: Anyone else have weird periods?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Anyone else have weird periods? : *One eyebrow raises* I'm intrigued.
Posted by loves2shop4shoes[/QUOTE]

Basically, the research suggests that regular cycles are a side effect of exposure to polution, hormone-injected food, and other artificial substances.  In developing countries where the food is all-natural and the air is clean, regular 28-day cycles are almost unheard of.

Furthermore, every time you have a period, your risk of cervical, ovarian, and breast cancers increases (only by a tiny amount, but it adds up over time) due to the increased cell division happening to allow the cycle.  Since hormonal birth control prevents ovulation, it drastically reduces your risk of cervical or ovarian cancer.

It's a fascinating article if you can get past the dry, research-y language.  I wish I could get it.

sparkles88

It sounds like an interesting article, Elle. Did it mention anything about osteoporosis? I've read that women who have irregular periods are more likely to develop osteoporosis due to inadequate amounts of estrogen needed to maintain a healthy bone mass. That was honestly the biggest reason I got freaked out by having low estrogen levels and no period. My mom already has it and she's only 57. I didn't want to further increase my risk of getting it.

hetshup

I dunno Elle, there are references in Renaissance Europe to a woman's monthly cycle. Here is an article about women in rural South India, their cycles are on avg 31 days with a 3.2 day std deviation. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1340049

In Southeast Nigeria: http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?rh08013

hetshup

And to answer your questions, even with  the IUD, I was pretty regular. Have you been to the Dr? When I was bleeding with the IUD I was losing a significant amount of blood. 

Elle1036

Hmmm...  I don't remember reading anything anything about bone loss, but then again, it's been about 4 years since I read that article.

From my understanding, it wasn't so much about being unable to have a regular period as it was about it being abnormal to have a regular period.  Still, that's an interesting point.  I'll do a little more research.

[Deleted User]

3 week period? I'm so sorry.

My period is all over the place without hormonal bc.  I also can't move for about a day since the cramps are so bad. 

You should call your Dr., maybe you are having some sort of complication with the IUD.

MidniteRae

I had weird periods until I went on the pill. It took awhile to find one that worked. I would have my period every 2 weeks. They would last for a week-week and a half..one time I had one that lasted for almost a month. Other times, I didn't have it for a month-three months. The pill helped my cycle a lot. I don't know what I'm going to do when we TTC..

NurseyK

Yep! Without BC I get 2-4 a year.... sometimes 6-8 months apart, sometime 1-2 months apart. Mine are totally unpredictable. I'm a little ancy about what it will do when we want to have kids, but lucky for me BF is confident that it will happen.

MLekathLEEN

Before BCP, I would have a period every 28 days that would last for 7 days. At least 4-5 of those days were very heavy and the first day was unbearable. Since I've been on BCP, I've has little cramps and consider my period 3-4 light days. Never like it used to be. I also tend to start about 3 days after taking my last pill. I'm on Seasonale I can't really track my period like I would be able to on a normal method of BCP.

Before my mom had a partial hysterectomy, she would have heavy bleeding for two weeks, have a week or so off and then another two week period. I could never imagine a period that lasted that long, I'm sorry shoes.

If you're worried, I'd talk to your Dr. about it. That way he can hopefully ease your mind or help you out. GL hun.

bethsmiles

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_anyone-else-weird-periods?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:03a433ce-3bea-4c43-9599-8b506883cfdaPost:8e12408b-c6dd-4303-bb9a-4ccdb93921b0">Re: Anyone else have weird periods?</a>:
[QUOTE]Mine have been weird lately too. I'm chalking it up to stress, so I'm hoping now that life has calmed down they'll go back to normal. I'm on BCP, but I still find sometimes they go weird - which could probably be explained by weight. How do you find the IUD? Other than the period situation I mean. I've been curious about non-hormonal BC for a while. Beth - congrats on the weight loss so far! Are you following a specific plan? (sorry if you already answered that before)
Posted by SopChick[/QUOTE]


Sorry its taken me so long to answer, its been a busy day. I just cut back my calories and started going to the gym more. I'm not good at following strict plans so I just want to make a permanent change that I can stick to even after I've lost the weight so I don't ever gain it back.

meamolly

I am yet to have a period since thanksgiving last year. I have been to the doc recently and no one seems to be too worried about it. I think the best thing to do is to lose the extra weight I have put on and then worry if it does not come back.

Hazel_B

I have an IUD and it isn't too bad. I know that if things get a little off then my period is heavier.

You were under a fair amount of stress the last little while with school and family stuff. Your body might be doing some sort of catch up? Either way, have you talked to a doctor?

Blue & White

My sister does.  She found out she had a thyroid problem.  Her periods aren't nearly as bad anymore, but she went like a year without one and then had her period for a month for no good reason when it came back.

I just don't get mine every 28 days off BC...it's more like every 40 days.

I would definitely try to talk to your doc about it.

jeanacorina

I don't know yet, haven't had a period in 2 years... but I just got off BCP, so I'll let you know.

I just bought the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" at Mutley's suggestion (along with some other friends who have it and think it's awesome). I'm 3 chapters in and have learned SO MUCH about how my body works. Apparently, your cycle doesn't HAVE to be the same every month, and it's normal for it not to be. That's the basic gist of what I've read so far. I'm not an expert (yet). lol

Anyway, I'd recommend that book as well. It's very interesting and I feel like it's shedding some light on what the heck my body is doing and what's normal. It's not just useful when you're TTC- it's about knowing your own body.

Elle1036

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_anyone-else-weird-periods?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:03a433ce-3bea-4c43-9599-8b506883cfdaPost:8f92ad3e-e6bf-40ae-a6a0-ff47eac1313b">Re: Anyone else have weird periods?</a>:
[QUOTE]I dunno Elle, there are references in Renaissance Europe to a woman's monthly cycle. Here is an article about women in rural South India, their cycles are on avg 31 days with a 3.2 day std deviation.  <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1340049" rel="nofollow">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1340049</a> In Southeast Nigeria:  <a href="http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?rh08013" rel="nofollow">http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?rh08013</a>
Posted by hetshup[/QUOTE]



Oh, I'm well aware that there are conflicting sources out there. That's the main reason I found it so interesting. It really changed the way I think about fertility in general. I wonder if my old endocrinology teacher would be willing to send it to me....

KD+BC

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_anyone-else-weird-periods?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:03a433ce-3bea-4c43-9599-8b506883cfdaPost:d2d22b0c-2341-4249-bf08-8d6c36394473">Re: Anyone else have weird periods?</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't know yet, haven't had a period in 2 years... <strong>but I just got off BCP, so I'll let you know. I just bought the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility"</strong> at Mutley's suggestion (along with some other friends who have it and think it's awesome). I'm 3 chapters in and have learned SO MUCH about how my body works. Apparently, your cycle doesn't HAVE to be the same every month, and it's normal for it not to be. That's the basic gist of what I've read so far. I'm not an expert (yet). lol Anyway, I'd recommend that book as well. It's very interesting and I feel like it's shedding some light on what the heck my body is doing and what's normal. It's not just useful when you're TTC- it's about knowing your own body.
Posted by jeanacorina[/QUOTE]

Are you TTC, did I miss that? Or are you using it for natural family planning? Either way, Taking Charge of your Fertility is awesome. I learned so much about my body and conceived in 2 cycles.

jeanacorina

Oh... no... not TTC yet. Haha!

My doctor and I (and DH) decided to see how things go with my periods without BCP. I was on the Pill because my periods were very heavy and were causing me to be severely anemic. But there were some disagreeable side effects with the Pill so we're going to see if I can make it safely without.

I got TCOYF for both education about my body and to help us increase our chances of NOT getting pregnant at the moment. And... to increase our chances when we're ready. Basically for all kinds of reasons. lol

KD+BC

Well good luck with going off the BCPs! I went off mine a month before we were ready to start trying and I couldn't believe how great I felt being off of them. Of course, I didn't have a major bleeding problem which might not have felt so great but I just felt like me again. It's weird and hard to explain but I just felt more healthy and something...just not being controlled by hormones! That's not saying I won't go on them again some day, I might, but if you can swing being off of them, I say go for it!