Is it normal for my menstrual cycle to only begin to regulate NOW?

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snowyslut

I started getting my period when I was 12. Now I'm 23... and only within the last few months has it become regular and predictable. I used to not menstruate for 2-8 months at a time, and when I did, there were no indictions other than the bleeding itself. But recently, my breasts have started hurting the week before, and there's very noticeable cramping, and it happens every month.

I mean, I was always told "It will regulate itself when you're done with puberty." but I was done by 16, and it only started getting predictable this summer.

So, is that normative? Or should I mention it when I get my IUD (nonhormonal, if it matters) put in next week?

09/12/2012

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misty82

Every one has a different "normal". But your normal seems to have made a major change. If I were you I would at least talk to your doctor about it. It may be nothing but then again it may be something. You can never be too safe when it comes to your body and health.

09/12/2012

Lildrummrgurl7

Every body is going to change throughout its lifespan. It never hurts to bring it up to a doctor but unless it has been abnormally painful or heavy, it shouldn't be a problem. Before I was on birth control, my menstrual cycle still wasn't regular and I was 19. My mom's didn't become regular after she gave birth until she was 34.

09/12/2012

Ansley

Well, I wouldn't say that you stopped going through puberty at sixteen...

Two questions:

1) Have you ever been on hormonal birth control; how many years did you consistently take it?

2) Has your sex life recently become "regular", as in two to three times a week?

I was irregular for awhile, got on the pill and then was on it for like fifteen years. I essentially delayed the natural inclinations my body had in regards to my development, so when I stopped taking it all kinds of things changed. My breasts got larger, my hormones leveled out and all the psycho-bitch stuff went out the window after about three months.

I've known a number of women who've said when they turned 28, it was like their bodies finally reached a full point of development and experienced the same things I did. Never did ask if they used the pill for as long as I did.

09/12/2012

ValerieRayne

I have a similar "issue" except I when I first started getting my period, I was incredibly regular. I could expect it at exactly the same time every single month but then I started having babies and my periods got seriously out of whack.

I bled for an entire year straight after my last, even while I was taking depo for a short period of time, and then I stopped bleeding for an entire year after I stopped taking the depo. Prior to all this, I had never experienced PMS at all, rarely ever got cramps, super-light bleeding.

Now that I've experienced these changes and as my periods begin to regulate again (hitting closer to the same time of month every month), I'm beginning to notice very strong PMS symptoms, a much heavier flow and all this comes almost 3 years after having my last baby. It's been crazy to experience...

09/12/2012

SneakersAndPearls

Irregularity can be caused by any number of things. It's worth a mention to your doctor at least so he can make sure there is nothing majorly amiss.

You sound very much like me. I'm 30, and my periods have just started to regulate themselves, and I've had periods since I was 12. It was normal for me to skip months at a time. When I was pregnant with my first, I didn't even know until I was 2 or 3 months along, because it was normal for me to skip that long. I asked my doctor after my son was born, and he said it was just the way that I am. Now they've started to regulate themselves to 5-7 weeks, usually around 6.

As a slightly off topic note, I will let you know that the non-hormonal IUD has a side affect of a heavier period. However, if you perhaps get a menstrual cup, like the DivaCup or MoonCup, it can help a whole lot with that. But there's no guarantee that you'll get that particular side effect.

09/14/2012

snowyslut

Quote:

Originally posted by Ansley

I have never used prescription birth control of any kind before... just condoms.

My sex life has become more regular recently, as my long-term partner and I are finally not in a long-distance relationship. My libido has lowered significantly from what it was a few years ago, but yeah, I would guess we have sexual contact of some sort at least 3x a week.

09/14/2012

snowyslut

Quote:

Originally posted by SneakersAndPearls

Thanks for the IUD tip. I was aware of that, and considering getting a moon cup besides... I'm just not sure if I can wear a cup when I have an IUD, so I have been putting off buying a cup.

09/14/2012

SneakersAndPearls

Quote:

Originally posted by snowyslut

Thanks for the IUD tip. I was aware of that, and considering getting a moon cup besides... I'm just not sure if I can wear a cup when I have an IUD, so I have been putting off buying a cup.

Yes, BUT, make sure you break the suction before you pull it out. I highly suggest MoonCup UK, not MoonCup US. They are different companies. I've had both and MoonCup UK just seemed to be a better quality.

I have the non-hormonal IUD and have a cup.

09/14/2012

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