bmg@tekecs.UUCP (Barbara Gniewosz Theus) (12/18/83)
I have always been blessed? with very heavy menstrual flow - what a pain. Yet in the last few months (5 or 6), I have 2 or 3 days of very light flow, and that's about it. I'm sure not complaining, but it does raise a few questions. I am not aware of any changes in my life style to have caused such a change. There has been no major change in diet, medication, or activities. These are the three things I know to look for. Are there any others I do not know about? This is not something that I am concerned about since I am basically healthy (this is the season for colds so I don't count that). Frankly, I'd like to know how to make sure it stays this way. Has anyone had any similar experience? By the way, I'm 29 so I don't think menopause has anything to do with it. Thanks for any info you have Barbara Theus
rene@umcp-cs.UUCP (12/23/83)
No answer, but another question: how bad is it to be irregular? My
periods vary from 25 to 45 days (occasionally as long as 60) from
start to start. The flow lasts about 7-8 days, which seems awfully
long to me. I'm 23, if that helps.
- rene
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Arpa: rene.umcp-cs@CSNet-relay
Uucp:...{allegra,seismo}!umcp-cs!renepc@hplabsb.UUCP (Patricia Collins) (12/28/83)
Irregular menstrual cycles can be analyzed. Try taking your basal temperature. Each morning, before your feet hit the floor, take your temperature. Plot the data points for a few cycles. For MOST women there is a clear increase in basal temperature the day after ovulation. (This makes the "rhythm method" an impossible method of birth control unless you are like clockwork.) Generally, the part of the cycle which is irregular is the part before ovulation. Most women begin to menstruate 14 days after ovulation. This irregularity runs in my family and seems to be related to nothing meaningful. Some less-than-competent OB-GYNs will tell you that you may have trouble getting pregnant, since it used to be believed that women with irregular cycles were not ovulating. Your basal temperature chart will probably clarify that issue. If you want to induce a menstrual cycle, the herb Pennyroyal is a very effective emmenagogue. If it's been 14 days since you ovulated, you can "encourage" a regular cycle by taking an infusion (cup of tea) made with Pennyroyal. You can also take Pennyroyal extract. DO NOT TAKE PENNYROYAL IF YOU THINK YOU MAY BE PREGNANT. Pennyroyal can induce an abortion, but it's not perfect. Sometimes it can just cause some mild hemorrhaging, which would be quite hazardous to the unaborted fetus. Patricia Collins hplabs