Do you have irregular periods? Any tips for handling them?

[Anonymous]

Mine were always regular, until I took birth control for one week. That was years ago, and they have been irregular since.

My last cycle was 35 days, this one was 26, and I don't know what the next one will be.

And the pain has stayed irregular too. It used to be the same every time, but since that week it has off and on being only somewhat painful between being just as painful as it used to be, and residule discomfort lasts for days now (which never happened before).

I thought my hormones would have become regular again after multiple years of being off the the pill, especially since I only took it for 7 days. But no, it seems to have permanently jacked my cycle. At least sometimes I get an extra week pain free and ignorable pain during my period. It sucks for planning though, because there is such a range of possibilities now and I don't know where I will be or who I will be with when it starts.

Before it always started first thing in the morning and I knew exactly what I had to do. It sucked to lose 1-2 hours every month but it could have been worse, and at least it was regular. Now it could happen anywhere—at work, in class, during a big event or a long drive... I don't even get 10 minutes warning depending on how bad it will be.

And I know I'm not the only one. Do you have similar experience? And if so, how are some ways you have managed it in your own life?

[Anonymous]

i'm 31 and still get irregular periods. could be from anything. stress. depression. food. diet. exercise. medical. literally anything can set it off. i will say tho, if this irregularity lasts for like 6 months, i'd talk to my doctor

[Asker]

It has lasted 3 years already. What are they gonna do, put me on birth control again? That's what started it in the first place lol. I could work on my diet though, that has been causing some other issues so it could be making this worse worse too. Thanks for the info.

[Opinion Owner]

have you checked with a gyno for a full exam just in case?

[Asker]

No. What would an exam say that just telling them the problem won't? It's not like there are a lot of treatment options even if it is something like endometriosis. I'd likely just get the options of "treatment" to help manage the symptoms, or surgery.

[Opinion Owner]

because you could have something wrong with your ovaries... PCOS, ovarian cysts, fibroids... etc

[Anonymous]

If you had the COVID shot. See a doctor if you’re having problems. Most people here aren’t medical professionals

[Asker]

This started way before covid. I'm just asking for any tips on managing it from other people who also experience it. It's not medical advice, it's life advice involving periods.

[Opinion Owner]

Okay. I can’t really help you there because I’m a guy and don’t have them. But maybe you should speak to your doctor on it.

Sorry. Wished I could be more of help

[Asker]

No worries. Thanks for the input.

[Opinion Owner]

You’re welcome

[20yearsolder]

Why not regulate your period by taking the pill

[Asker]

That was the idea the first time. They thought my pain was bad because of irregular hormones, and taking the pill would make it hurt less.

The problem was I can't swallow pills reliably. I decided 1 cumulative hour of self-administered gagging per month spread out to every single evening was worse than 1-2 hours of automatic contractions every month concentrated to 1 morning.

At the time of course I didn't realize it would make my hormones so much worse for forever if I stopped. I want to just manage it naturally if I can, but if not, I would want something that works reliably than the pill and preferably with only one use.