Although our periods serve a fabulous purpose, they also comes with a plethora of nasty PMS symptoms: mood swings, volatile emotions, crabbiness, food cravings, bloating — the list goes on and on. And since our period, and everything that comes along with it, only affects us women, it can be an easy target of blame from men. I know from experience how infuriating it is to have your significant other blame your actions on your monthly friend when in fact, your period has absolutely nothing to do with it.
Now that we've delved into
what is and isn't normal when it comes to your period, I thought we could take a closer look at what can cause a period that lasts longer than an average of seven days. If you're experiencing this frustrating change in your cycle, a trip to your gynecologist is a necessity. But in the meantime, it's a good idea to educate yourself on possible explanations in order to prepare yourself for your exam.
After working with your gynecologist to find a birth control method that’s better at preventing your terrible PMS and cramps, you’ve finally decided on one that sounds promising. And after taking it for only a few months, you notice some big changes, both good and bad. Would it be worse if .
For most women, getting our
period is something we've come to terms with. While it doesn't leave us feeling all that great, it's something we can't change, at least right now!
Your period comes and goes every month, and you probably don't give it much thought, aside from putting tampons on your grocery list, so take this quiz to make sure you know what should and shouldn't be happening to your body during that time of the month.
With so many
different kids of pills out there, it's just a matter of time before finding one that's
right for you. Now some women are on the pill for the good old-fashioned reason of preventing pregnancy, but other women are on it to clear up their skin or to have lighter periods, know what day and time they'll get it, or perhaps they like the option of skipping it all together. This hilarious
video pretty much sums up the new rationale for being on the pill, but tell me, all you pill-goers out there, why are you on it?
DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.
Dear DrSugar,
I have a problem that might seem a little odd, but I am not dieting and I am losing too much weight. I am training for a marathon, and exercise daily about 2 hours Monday through Friday (running outside mixed with swimming, spin class, body pump, and running on Treadmill).
I’m a fan of slang terms (uh, lady business!), but there’s something that just bothers me when people use a slang term for their periods. I mean there's nothing cute about a period! I completely understand wanting to avoid using menstruation to describe what’s typically an unpleasant few days, but “period” is just so much less visual and more succinct than Aunt Flo, crimson wave, on the rag, or the monthly gift.
If you're not trying to become pregnant, a
late period can be no fun. It's so tough to just be patient and wait for Aunt Flo to show up, so that's where
emmenagogues come in. It's a long name for a category of herbs and plants that are believed to induce menstruation.
Assuming you aren't ready to have kids, you're most likely using some sort of birth control. But since
condoms are only 85 percent effective, and
IUCs and
the pill are 99 percent effective, there is that small chance you could still get pregnant. So with that said, waiting for your period to come can be a nerve-wracking event.
I'm pretty lucky in the fact that when it's "that time of the month," my symptoms are fairly mild. I feel a little crampy, bloated, and tired, but it doesn't interfere with my life too much. Sticking to my regular exercise routine usually relieves any discomfort I have, and it always lifts my mood.
