Probably an inappropriate post. In which case you may want to avert your delicate eyes. And I’m free-associating here.
For the past week, I’ve been stressing out about the fact that my period has been late. I always have the fear that I might be pregnant but this time I was more concerned on whether I’d be able to leave on our bike trip as planned. The last thing I wanted to do on day 1 was to wash out my glad rags after biking 60+ miles and setting up camp. On day 45 it might be a different issue, but not on the first day.
I am also one of those unlucky people who not only has a heavy flow for practically an entire week, but also has to deal with excruiating pain for most of that week along with nausea, and now with my advancing age, a very crappy temperament.
I used to take a painkiller for my period that was very effective. Unfortunately, its legal everywhere except the U.S. because it apparently can kill fetuses. So I have to deal with inferior products like liquid gel caps.
Anyway, I’m glad I have my period. I’m not so glad I’m in pain and I keep hoping that menopause isn’t half as annoying as this monthly cycle that is in all honesty a complete waste as far as I am concerned since I don’t intend to have kids.
Hear hear Beany! I feel the exact same way - your last paragraph is right in line with my take on the whole thing.
I hope that things “ease up” soon so it doesn’t ruin your plans to head out at a particular time. It sucks to be a woman sometimes, especially one who really has no plans on using our uterus for baby making, why do we still have to suffer?!?!
Comment by Jennifer — August 27, 2008 @ 10:24 am
Ugh, I hate periods. I’m going camping during my cycle in September and need to figure out what to do, since my usual sponges might be hard to deal with without running water.
Comment by Working Rachel — August 27, 2008 @ 10:37 am
I used to have horrible, heavy, awful periods. Then I had a procedure to zap my uterine walls with radio waves - there are a few brand names of the machine but the one I had was NovaSure. It was easy, I did it in the gyn office, the recovery was no more than normal cramps for a few days, and now I have a trickle instead of a deluge, with no cramps or anything to go with it (still have chocolate cravings though). Some women luck out and have no period ever again, but I’m happy enough with my trickle. Maybe after your trip you might want to look into it - I used to have to plan my days around my period since I couldn’t be more than 90 min from a bathroom but not any more.
Comment by JAM — August 27, 2008 @ 10:41 am
Let me just say, I thought menopause was a breeze. A couple of my friends had real issues with ‘flooding’ and fibroid tumors, etc. But my only real symptoms were ‘power surges’ and I learned to sleep naked and turn up the A/C or sit in front of a fan. It was joyful to be done with my period. My ‘croning’ celebration was a happpy one.
Comment by katecontinued — August 27, 2008 @ 11:14 am
Yep. No love lost here with the ole period. My doc put me on the pill for a straight 11 months, though so I only have to have a period once a year. It’s awesome!
Comment by Heather @ SGF — August 27, 2008 @ 11:14 am
Thanks for the kind words Jennifer
Working Rachel: I’ve been using the diva cup with a gladrag for backup because I thought it would be the best option when camping. Maybe you can give it a shot?
JAM: Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll keep NovaSure in mind as we are going to look into permanent birth control as well after our move. Not having such intensely painful cramps wouldn’t bother me.
katecontinued: My menopausal friends complained incessantly about hot flashes and I thought I could easily deal with that compared with what I have to go through with my period. . Fibroids though? Being a woman can seem like the most annoying thing sometimes.
Heather: I’ve read about those pills and have been worried about it, but haven’t read much more into it. Thanks for the reminder. Will look into this more carefully after the move.
Comment by Beany — August 27, 2008 @ 11:55 am
Have you considered a Divacup? Much less water needed to rinse it out, good capacity, no leaks if it’s in right. I ride horses and have no trouble with mine leaking or being uncomfortable.
Many people (myself included) experience shorter periods and much less cramping with the cup, too
There’s a support group on LiveJournal with tons of info. I’m very happy with my Femmecup and will never go back to pads!
Comment by Mary — August 27, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
Mary: I have been using a diva cup since earlier this summer, but because of um…smell and leakage issues (or if I can’t find a restroom when I want to)I have a pad on just in case. I like the cup but am always nervous about it getting lost and me winding up in ER. I should have mentioned that I was using the divacup, but deleted that part of it before I published the post.
Comment by Beany — August 27, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
You know, now that you’re off the caffiene, you may find your periods ease up. It could take a few cycles, but I know it does for me when I stay off the coffee.
Comment by Chile — August 27, 2008 @ 8:01 pm
Chile: I hope you’re right about this.
Comment by Beany — August 28, 2008 @ 7:39 am