A period question

srgw

Background: I've had my period since I was 11 years old. It's always been at least 7 days, sometimes 10 days long. And my period would come every 20-23 days if that. This stayed the same until I went on bc for the first time.

Fast forward to age 23 (Oct 2008). I went on birth control because I was getting married June 2009. Over the course of a year I tried three different bc (two different pills and the patch). None worked because the medication I already take interfered with them. On the two different pills (Yaz and Ortho Tricyclin Low) my period would come at least twice a month. On the patch I had 14-17 day periods.

In Oct 09 I went off the patch. My H and I use condoms only as a form of bc. Since October my periods are getting shorter and the time between periods is getting longer. This month I went 27 days without a period and my period was only 3 days long. In months previous (since Oct 09) it was a 4-5 day periods every 24 days. Coming from my experience of 7-10 day periods averaging every 20-23 days for 12 years it seems rather odd. Is there any logical reason for this to happen? 

 

taylormillgirl

I only have one theory: Maybe your earlier and more sporadic periods were annovulatory and now you're ovulating. Did anything else change during this cycle, like more cramping?

That's all I've got. What does your GYN say?

srgw

The cramps aren't as bad as they use to be pre bc. On bc I had next to no cramps. I haven't noticed any other differences. I haven't seen my Gyn since October 09 for my yearly pap. I guess I should. Thanks.

snowday!

Hormone levels change as we age.  Changes in your amount of exercise or your weight can affect hormone levels, too. 

The_Quiet_One

I'd say your doctor would have a much better idea of the problem than random strangers over the internet.

AgHeather06

I have had some very similar happen the past few months. I had been on birth control since I was 18. Before and during the birth control my periods were 5-7 days, and had bad cramps for days. I stopped using birth control 3 months ago and my past two periods have been 1-2 days of light bleeding and a few hours of cramps. I can only hope they stay this way! The only thing is that my cycle seems to be about 35 days, which is making it hard to track at the moment.

strangebird

I have a hormonal imbalance that causes changes like this. Although my periods were regular (and very similar to yours) when I was young, they gradually changed and eventually became sporadic. One year, I didn't menstruate at all; now my period is regular once more. I would recommend you talk with your doctor, but your hormonal balance can be maintained through diet and exercise fairly easily.

Angeldcf

Hormonal birth control can mess up your regular cycles.  I went 125 days before using progesterone to jump start a period.  Your hormone levels also change as you age.  It may be that they're finally getting regular (though I'd be somewhat concerned about the length of your luteal phase)

Is it really your period or just breakthrough bleeding?

If you start charting, you could see if your cycles are ovulatory & length of luteal phase.

srgw

Thanks for all the advice. I'll be calling my gyn to see what she has to say.

blue_elle

It's so hard to tell just from the length of your cycles. Some women take a long time to adjust back to their norm after coming of hormonal birth control - you could be having anovulatory cycles and the shorter bleeding with lessened cramping could be breakthrough of the lining that's built up as you wait to ovulate. It's also possible your hormone fluctuations have changed naturally. Your gyno can definitely advise you if anything is of particular concern and do some hormone testing if needed.

IMO, your periods sound more average now than in the past. Previously you were having 10 days of bleeding and only 10 or so days before the next period? That's a long bleed, and assuming you were ovulating after your period that's may not be enough of a luteal phase (post-ovulation) for egg implantation. Did your doctor ever feel like your menses/cycle length was a concern?

I would suggest you start charting your cycles using fertility awareness. It's simple (really) and would tell you definitively if and when you are ovulating and may give you an idea if you may have too little/too much estrogen or progesterone as well as inform you if you have a possible luteal phase defect that could cause issues with future fertility. (And as a bonus you can have care free sex with your DH when you know for a fact your post-ov!!!). Check our Taking Charge of Your Fertility - there's a website as well.