Your Period
If candid answers are what you're looking for, you've come to the right place. Iris Prager, Ph.D., our resident expert for more than two decades, has years of women's health and human sexuality teaching experience, and is a former president of the American Association for Health Education. So ask away. She's here to help.
Dear Iris,
I have been experiencing nausea a day or two prior to my menstruation. Is that normal? I'm 31, and have not had these symptoms previously.
Thanks, —Lee
Dear Lee,
Nausea, related to menstruation, is not unusual. If your period is late and you are still feeling nauseous, I suggest you take a home pregnancy test! If you start menstruating and this nausea becomes part of your cycle, contact your doctor for a consultation.
Good luck, —Iris
Dear Iris,
What exactly is
—Curious
Dear Curious,
Good luck, —Iris
Dear Iris,
What other conditions are mistaken for
—Mary
Dear Mary,
Unrelated medical problems such as allergies, fibrocystic breast changes, unrecognized pelvic infections, diabetes, endocrine disorders, or emotion disorders could be confused with
—Iris
Dear Iris,
What are some things I can do to reduce the symptoms of
—Suffering Sally
Dear Sally,
You and your doctor — together — should determine your form of treatment. You can try lifestyle changes such as reducing caffeine intake, avoiding salty foods, and reducing sugar intake. You can also try adding foods to your diet such as complex carbohydrates like whole grains, beans, fresh fruits, and vegetables. And many women find that moderate exercise and relaxation techniques help to reduce the symptoms of
Good luck, —Iris
Dear Iris,
When I have my period, I get really bad cramps that make me feel like I am going to throw up. Is there any way that I can stop the pain as soon as it happens? Also, I just started using tampons and am worried about losing the string. How can I prevent this?
—Smiley
Dear Smiley,
If you suffer from mild to moderate menstrual pain, you can try an over-the-counter medication that contains the pain killer ibuprofen. If your pain is severe, then I suggest you discuss this with a doctor and ask for a more potent medication. Also, make sure the doctor knows that the cramps make you feel like vomiting.
One way to keep the tampon string accessible is to pull it forward after you have inserted the tampon, and wear snug underpants.
Hope this helps, —Iris
Hello Iris,
I am 20 years old, and have a very regular menstrual cycle of 28 days. For the past seven months I have had extremely heavy flow the first two days of my period. I have to change a super tampon every one-and-a-half to two hours, so it is hard to go anywhere for fear I won't be able to get to a bathroom.
After the first two days, the flow decreases significantly and my cycle lasts a total of five days. I also have severe cramps the day before I start and the first two days of my period, and over-the-counter pain medications don't ease the pain. I also get a sharp pain about one to two weeks before my period begins. Is all of this normal? Should I see a doctor to find out what is causing all this?
Thanks, —Jocelyn
Dear Jocelyn,
The pain at the mid-point of your cycle sounds like ovulation. Many girls/women can pinpoint when the egg is released by this pain. This is not unusual.
Your flow sounds heavy, although if you can use a super plus tampon for two hours, you are not outside the range of normalcy. I would recommend you use a pad as a back-up on the days you need to be away from a convenient restroom for any block of time.
Since you are already 20, I assume you have been examined by a doctor/gynecologist. If you have never been to the gyn, then this is a good time to go for an exam. Let the doctor know about your menstrual cramps and lack of relief from over-the-counter medications. You can also discuss your menstrual flow. Some of your problems can be relieved by medical intervention.
Good luck to you, —Iris
Dear Iris,
Hi. I like to run, but even in gym class my cramps get so bad I feel like I could die. Usually this happens only after I've been running. How can I prevent this, and why does it happen?
Thanks. —Kris
Dear Kris,
Are we talking about menstrual cramps? Usually moderate exercise is good for this type of cramp. To prevent mild to moderate cramps, try taking pain medication that contains ibuprofen. If this still doesn't help, you should have this discussion with your doctor.
Good luck, —Iris
Dear Iris,
Why do you get cramps when you get your period?
Thanks. —Angel
Dear Angel,
Cramps are caused by the contraction of your uterus during menstruation. It usually means that the uterine muscles are contracting too hard or too fast. You may feel the cramps in your abdomen, in your back, or even down your legs. Try using an over-the-counter pain killer with ibuprofen as the active ingredient. Take it the night before you think your period will start. You may also try taking a warm bath or placing a hot-water bottle on your abdomen. You can try some dry heat menstrual pads like Thermacare. Some girls feel that mild exercise helps relieve menstrual pain. If the pain still is not managed with this medication, then I think you need to see your doctor. Ask mom to make an appointment.
Good luck, —Iris
Dear Iris,
I get very painful menstrual cramps, and sometimes these cramps last all the time, not just when I'm menstruating. They are not as strong or as frequent as when I am really menstruating, but I still feel like I am having my menstrual flow. What is this or what could be causing this?
Thanks, —Vevi
Dear Vevi,
Cramps are caused by the contraction of your uterus during menstruation. It usually means that the uterine muscles are contracting too hard or too fast. You may feel the cramps in your abdomen, in your back, or even down your legs.
Try using an over-the-counter pain killer with ibuprofen as the active ingredient. Take it the night before you think your period will start. You may also try taking a warm bath or place a hot-water bottle on your abdomen. You can try some dry heat menstrual pads like Thermacare. Some girls feel that mild exercise helps relieve menstrual pain. If the pain still is not managed with this medication, then I think you need to see your doctor. I don't know why your cramps continue after menstruation ends. I suggest you ask the doctor about that too.
—Iris
Dear Iris
I'm a college student, with a history of menstrual irregularity. However, a few months ago, I became sexually active and my periods not only have become regular but are even "in synch" with my roommate's (who is on birth control). My question is that I should have gotten my period this coming Wednesday, but I woke up this morning with some discharge. I put in a tampon and changed it once. The flow has been EXTREMELY minimal. In fact, the latest tampon had no blood whatsoever. I'm wondering if I should worry — considering this is also finals time (i.e. stress). But I'm also worried about the possibility of pregnancy, considering I haven't started taking the pill yet. I tried to do some research on the web, but figured you might be able to help me out!
I'd appreciate it so much.
Thanks. —Maya
Dear Maya,
If you did not use a reliable form of birth control, you may be pregnant. Take a home pregnancy test or see the gynecologist on your campus. The synchronization of your cycle with your roommate's is not unusual. This is not the problem. The unprotected sexual intercourse is the problem.
Good Luck, —Iris
Dear Iris,
I'm a 33-year-old mother of two daughters. My periods have always been very normal. Last year I got my period about ten days early. My doctor said it was either from stress or just a normal change in my menstrual cycle. However, the past two months I've started bleeding early, again. The first month I was seven days early, and this month I'm ten days early. I'm having cramping like a normal period and the bleeding seems to be the same so far. I do have an appointment with my doctor next week to find out what the problem is, but in the meantime, I'm terrified that it might be something more serious. I was wondering if you could provide me with some reasons as to why this might be happening. I did have two C-sections when my daughters were born, but they were without any complications. My grandmother on my mother's side had to have a hysterectomy because of fibroid tumors of the uterus, and my mother who is 49 is being checked every three months because of abnormal cells found during a Pap smear. I'm not sure, but I do remember my mother telling me she took a drug prescribed by her doctor while she was pregnant with me to prevent a miscarriage. It might have been DES, but I'm afraid to ask my mother about it, because if there is something seriously wrong with me, I'm afraid she might blame herself for taking the drug. If you could offer any reasons as to why I'm having this problem, I would be so grateful. If you can do this, please answer through email, as I'm really embarrassed about being so afraid.
Sincerely, —Crystal
Dear Crystal,
One of the problems associated with maternal DES use is infertility. You have two children...another problem is abnormal Pap tests...I assume yours have been normal. So don't jump to conclusions. Normally, women experience perimenopausal symptoms from 10-15 years before menopause occurs, and it sounds as though your doctor suspects that is what is going on with you. I wouldn't worry, but make sure the doctor understands all your symptoms, and if you've been monitoring your cycle for several months, bring in your calendar. My best advice is to have an exam by your gynecologist and you are set to do that.
Good Luck, —Iris
Dear Iris,
Hi, my name is Ruthie. I am 25 years old. My problem is for the past seven months I have not been having my menstrual period. I am not on birth control. I went off "the pill" two years ago when my husband left me. Since then I have recently gone through a divorce. So, some of the problem may be stress related, although I was under a lot more stress one year ago than I am now. I am not sure exactly what I should do to get my body working properly again. Do you have any suggestions? Please let me know if you can help.
—Ruthie
Dear Ruthie,
Your first step should be to visit your gynecologist to make sure that this menstrual cessation is not being caused by any medical problem. Once the medical issues are dismissed, you may want to work on the stress reduction your body seems to be telling you is needed.
Good luck, —Iris
Dear Iris,
My menstrual cycle has been completely haywire this year. I am a college student, and I am aware that it can be affected by stress and being around many young women. However, I can tell you that for the past few months, my cycle has been 33, 35, 28, 34 days. I am on day 34 of my next month, and my period has yet to start. I can remember when my period would be 29 days to the day. What is wrong with me? I hate the suspense.
Yours truly, —Pam
Dear Pam,
You really have answered your own question in the first two sentences of your email. So even though you know the possible reasons, it doesn't make you feel any less concerned. If I were you, I would make an appointment with the campus gynecologist...if there is one. The only remedy I know for irregular cycles is hormone therapy, and at your age it could be in the form of birth control pills. I don't know if your doctor would prescribe such a remedy for a not-very-irregular cycle, but maybe this form of contraception and cycle regulator can be helpful to you.
—Iris
Dear Iris:
I am 21 years old and the time between my periods still has not become consistent. The time is usually nowhere near the average 28 days. It can be from 31 days to 62 days (one or two months) in between. There is no pattern at all but my actual period; the length and flow, is usually the same. Is there something wrong? Should I be at all worried? (I haven't really questioned it before because everyone says it takes a few years to develop a pattern, but I think I started when I was 13! I am not sexually active, so pregnancy is never a possibility for it being a longer period between my monthly flow.) I would appreciate any information or advice you could give me.
—Gloria C.
Dear Gloria,
Not all women cycle in the "textbook" way. You sound as though your cycle is very inconsistent, although your period is pretty much the same each time. By the age of 21, you should have been to a gynecologist. Have you ever visited one? If not, make an appointment and get a physical exam. If you have never been sexually active, s/he will probably not do an internal or pelvic exam. Although if you explain your situation to him or her and there needs to be an internal, explaining that you are still a virgin will alert him/her and make the exam easier to get through. Don't panic...doctors examine virgins regularly. For right now, relax. Your cycle may be absolutely normal for you. The only time this may become a problem is if you are trying to conceive.
Good luck, —Iris
Dear Iris,
After you have a baby, does nursing the baby act as a contraceptive?
Need to know, —Susan
Dear Susan,
When women start nursing, they do not resume their periods for several months . . . although they may start ovulating after a few months and are fertile. As the intensity of nursing is reduced, your period is likely to come back.
Good luck, —Iris
Dear Iris,
I am now experiencing my first period in over 13 months — since the birth of my daughter. I would like to know if it is safe to use tampons or if I should only use pads. Also, I would like to know if there are signs I should look out for that tell me I'm not ready for tampons yet. (Before my daughter, I used them all the time.)
Thanks for your time, —Nia
Dear Nia,
If it is 13 months after the birth of your child, you should be able to use tampons again without any problems.
—Iris
Dear Iris,
I had a baby last year. I haven't had a period since. Is that normal or should I be worried?
Thanks, —Trouble
Dear Trouble,
You should ask your gynecologist about this. It is normal for several months to elapse before you start menstruating...and if you are nursing, it may be even longer before you start. Talk to your doctor.
—Iris
