that time of the month...

[ej0820]

hey there,

ok, I just have a quick question. I know that due to our cf our cycles can come late and be all outta wack...especially when infections and tons of antibiotics come into the picture. I was just wondering though, are any of you gals really ever regular? I mean, I've been to the doc and there's nothing wrong, but it seems like I'm more unreliable than the weather when it comes down to it. One month I'll have it, the next two I won't at all, the next I'll have it for about 4 days, the next 7, etc. Also, I've just started the NuvaRing (birthcontrol), has anyone tried it or atleast experienced more regularity while using this or any form of birth control??

erin
20/f/cf

 

[ladybug]

Erin,

Sorry, I can't help much cause I"m very regular... usually within a couple days every month. Although, often, I think I don't ovulate even though I get it, cause we've been trying to conceive for about 2 years to no avail, so I don't know if I'm actually ovulating. Hmmmm....

Good luck with your information though... I think a lot of CFers are irregular.

 

[thefrogprincess]

I was really regular until I was about 18, then blam!!! psycho period! I had the same issues you mentioned, have it 8 days one month, not have another for 6 weeks and then it would only be four days, then two weeks later have my period again. My doc put me on the pill and I have never looked back. I can almost set my watch by my cycle now. I'm on the patch now (which I love!!) and I always know that I will get my period on the Thursday of my off week. Good luck!

 

[kybert]

im regular.... only because im on the pill. if i were to stop it things would be crazy to say the least. i personally think that there should be guidelines for doctors that state if a cf woman is having problems with her period she should be put on the pill asap. so many doctors ignore that side of things [probs cause most of them are male] and the patients are left to suffer.

 

[Tess]

I am pretty regular..... end of the month-ish it can differ within a few days but it comes every single month. I'm not taking any BC no need to after my 1st child I had my tubes done. Beside I had been on it once (the BC) and it made me really sick couldn't get out of bed, fever, bucket beside my head, it was bad..... they said at the time it was the weakest pill there was sooo .... since I've taken nothing at all and now there's no need to.

 

[JazzysMom]

I am regular even being on iv's. The only time I get off track is with severe weight loss. Is it possible one of your ovaries isnt working? Only one ovary releases eggs every month so if they cant switch back & forth each month that would explain why you miss every other month or so? Just a thought. The basics influence a lot.....nutrition, hydration, stress etc in addition to meds! Sorry if none of this helps!

 

[LouLou]

I was very regular with the pill for 11 years.
I've been off for two months and so far I had one cycle that was 32 days and the other 34. Each with a 5 day period. I'm not complaining - I thought I'd be totally wacked out but things are pretty normal so far.

Sonia,
Can't you test to see if you are ovulating?

 

[HairGirl]

I've never been 'regular' but when I was on BC I was, but then I had bad cramping and mood swings, also I really think it helped contribute to my hemoptysis. So now, I'm kinda regular, but my period will last anywhere from a couple days to a week!

 

[wanderlost]

I'm regular, almost to the day, on or off the pill - is weight gain an issue for you - I know that can effect periods.

 

[HairGirl]

I don't know about Erin but weight gain isn't an issue for me!!!!! I've always been 'above average' for my weight.

 

[Diane]

The first few years when i first started getting my period i was almost regular but they would last sometimes 9 days with horrible cramps. But once i got thru those first few years , my period is like clockwork. Always on time, and lasts about 2 -3 days and half the time i wouldnt even know i have it, theres no pain at all. Now the wierd thing is........... i went on oral birth control to help control hemoptysis, and i remember telling the doctor, i bet this will screw up my whole cycle, well it has to a point. I cant always pin point the day i'll get it now. Gosh that is so ass backwards, most women take the oral birth control to regulate their periods, and when i took it , it threw my perfect schedule off....lol

 

[Momtana]

hi, Erin. I will be interested in your experience with the Nuva Ring. I work in women's health and since my own diagnosis in 2003 I have been looking at birth control choices and other sexual health issues for women with CF. The nurse practitioners I work with believe that the Nuva Ring increases vaginal discharge. Please let me know how you like this method so far. Any experience with other bc methods? Momtana

 

[Momtana]

dear Ladybug. You can determine if you are ovulating by taking your basal body temperature - use a special BBT thermometer (Becton-Dickinson is the only recommended digital one) - if you take your temperature before getting out of bed every morning you will see about a 1 degree temp rise around the time of ovulation. The temp is the most accurate. Women also look at the changes with cervical mucus to determine ovulation but I am not sure that is as reliable with women who have CF - but it did seem to be different around ovulation for me. But I didn't know I had CF when I was watching my mucus changes (the method of birth control I used for many years). Women's cervical mucus will become thinner, slippery and stretchy around the time of ovulation. Let me know if you have any questions. Momtana

 

[NoExcuses]

Temperatures may not be that accurate because many CFers run a low temp off and on due to infection.....

Even if you're not showing symptoms of infection, you coudl be fighting one and your temp may be raised.

 

[Cariann2005Rob]

I am very very irregular! Even if I go on the pill... i still dont straighten out!! i dont know what my problem is... If i am not on the pill i can go like 4 months with out a period!! and then have it really heavy for like a couple days and then it tappers off to nothing like the 4 day or so of it! I have never been able to control my period! it is soooo frustrating!!!! I think ihave a big time hormone problem! NOt only do i have very irregular periods i have yet to develope breast... Sounds to weird to be true but I went to my doc and she totally understands whta i mean!! I mean no breast tissue what so ever! i could be a little kid for all people know!!! And that is way frustrating... Do you think its because of the irregular periods??? My weight does fluctuate alot... I go up and down all the time... anyways, yah thats my frustrating story...
Cariann 21 w/ cf cfrd mrsa

 

[catboogie]

i am regular. i think a lot of other things can be factors, but it's certainly good to try to pin point what's going on.

laura

 

[CowTown]

The only time when i'm regular is when I'm on the pill. Otherwise I have no idea when it'll happen.

 

[S]

oooh, i feel so dirty being in here!

 

[anonymous]

I am actually soooo regular, it is like clockwork. My only complaint is I get my period like every 25-27days. I wish I could get it 28-31. Oh well



Jennifer 34 yrs old with CF and CFRD

 

[ladybug]

Lou Lou and Momtana:

Thanks for your suggestions.... I haven't read this thread in a long time, so I apologize for not posting.

Yes, I actually bought a basal thermometer, but don't really WANT to know if/when I ovulate, cause I kinda have panic attacks when I think this could be "the time" I get pregnant. I worry a lot about pregnancy on my body and would rather if it happens, it happens. I don't want to stress too much about it now with thermometers, charting, etc., cause I think I'd be a basket case when we tried to conceive wondering if we "should" do it! Am I healthy enough, etc. etc... I get really OCD over such things. lol.... So, I pretty much ignore all conventional methods that could pinpoint my ovulation so that I don't fret over it. I find I'm much more relaxed if we just have sex over the week I THINK I'm ovulating, but if not, its ok. Wierd, huh?