My Period
This is what it used to be like.
I'd ovulate. Then about ten days later I'd start to spot. A little fresh blood for a day. I'd wear a pantyliner. This was usually a Tuesday.
For the rest of the week I'd continue to spot, but it would be old, brown blood.
Then, Saturday morning, usually around 10 AM (yes, I was that regular), my period would start.
It would start with a vengance. I would need for the next three days, a tampon every two hours (sometimes every hour on Mondays) along with a backup pad. I'd pass small clots, not firm ones, but loose clots about the size of a finger several times a day.
Overnight I'd use a tampon and an "overnight" super maxi pad. I was so happy when someone invented those wings pads, they saved me more underwear. For those overnights I'd also wear shorts over my underwear - because they'd keep the pad in place and were an extra layer of protection.
I'd usually have to get up sometime around 4AM to change the pad and tampon, then go back to sleep until 7AM.
Then on Tuesday, my period would just about stop. It's odd, but it would. I would wear a pad, but only need one that day. Then later in the evening it would start up again.
The blood would then become less red and more maroon. Clots would be a bit firmer and more distinct, though usually pretty small.
The moderate flow would continue until the following Sunday. Then it would taper off and I'd switch to a pantyliner.
The black discharge then continues for three more days.
And that was how it was for the past 15 years. Pretty much since I went off the pill. It was like that before I went on the pill too.
Now, bad periods ran in my family, so I just considered it normal. I'm guessing there are lots of women that have periods like that. I don't think it can be blamed on my fibroids either, as I don't think I had them fifteen years ago.
I never had cramps, I never really felt bad during my period except for maybe the last year I'd get a backache that usually felt better with some calcium and a little ibuprofen or tylenol. I was anemic or at least had low iron for the last three years before surgery as well, my diet was no different, so I'm guessing it was the bleeding was worse and I didn't really notice.
These things just kind of creep up on us and we don't notice. I'll tell you, I really don't miss them. I'm still finding supplies all over the place. Suitcases, purses, desk drawers, it's amazing how much I socked away just in case. Seems every time I think I've found them all, I find some more.
Someday, I'm sure I'll try to remember what they were like, and at least I've written it down now, while it wasn't to far in the distant past.
Posted by Elizabeth M. on April 19, 2005 08:43 PM
I just stumbled on this site searching for answers for my appointment with the surgeon on Tuesday. I am ready to contemplate a hysterectomy but have reservations about the procedure and the aftermath....However I am amazed to read the stories on the heavy periods. I am 49 with no sign of menopause on the horizon. I have been suffering for a couple years now with extremely heavy, clotting flows. I start every 25 days exactly and it takes over my life for 4-5 days. I call it the red tide. A D&C and Lupron did not help with the problem, I just ended up where I began so I told my doctor enough is enough...
I thought I was the only one who had nightmarish periods. As I am getting older (46) they are lasting 10 days. And that is while on the pill. The doctor said I could have my period 4 times a year. But after 6 weeks of being on the pill I would get my period anyway. I have had enough. I have 5 female relatives and 2 of them died of uterine cancer. One on each side of the family. Doesn't bode well for me, does it? I am seeing my OB-GYN to ask about having my uterus taken out. After 34 years of feeling like crap I have had enough. Since my mother was 59 when her periods finally ended, I don't care to have 13 more years of this nonsense.