# Ladies: How go your periods? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 30, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583 "2011-11-30T18:18:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/21 "2011-12-01T02:11:24Z")
Back when I was on hormonal birth control they were regular, but I’ve been off of that for a while now and they’re hard to predict. I have an app on my phone for tracking them that seems to have decided I have a 35 day cycle, and yet it never predicts the start date accurately. So I have no idea what my cycle is. It’s about 5 days once it comes. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/22 "2011-12-01T02:13:00Z")
I’m also lucky enough to vote “like clockwork”. I was never terribly irregular, but enough to be annoying. Some months 25 days, some months 35. Now thanks to years on the Pill I can even pinpoint the hour I expect it to start. And I still thank God every month I don’t need the “OMG it’s a geyser” absorbency tampons anymore. The light ones are usually more than enough. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/23 "2011-12-01T02:17:05Z")
I think I should probably say “like clockwork,” since ever since getting the Mirena IUD put in a little over a year ago, my periods have completely disappeared. I think it’s wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/24 "2011-12-01T02:18:47Z")
I’ve never been regular. Too bad the uterus doesn’t come with an off switch. After child-bearing years which were unfruitful anyway, a period every month is just not necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/25 "2011-12-01T03:03:24Z")
Easy peasy, regular as clockwork. 26 days off, 2 days on. Very light. One box of junior tampons lasts me about 3 years. I generally just need a panty liner. Wasn’t like that when I was a teen - still very regular but more like 23 days off, 5 days on and fairly heavy. Having a copper IUD in by early 30s was brutal period-wise though. Loved the convenience of it as contraception, hated the side effects. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/26 "2011-12-01T03:21:07Z")
Until a few months ago, i’d have voted for ‘regular as clockwork’. Alas, at age 45 my ovaries seem to have given up the hope that I’ll ever conceive and are now cleaning house two or three times a month. \>.\< F&\*&ing menopause. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/27 "2011-12-01T03:27:04Z")
Wildly irregular til I got on the Pill; I was actually put on the Pill as a virginal teenager just to regulate them. Then I got off it for several years…got back on it 4 years ago and now my period starts every fourth Thursday morning around 4 a.m… I am 33 and a smoker so I know I have to either quit smoking or quit the Pill within two years…I don’t wanna! _whining_ ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/28 "2011-12-01T03:31:32Z")
Mine is anywhere from 31-48 days in a cycle. The irregularity hasn’t ever really been an issue because I get warning “twinges” the day before it shows up. ---
**Author:** ![Tracyfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f14d63/32.png) [@Tracyfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracyfish)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/29 "2011-12-01T05:57:32Z")
Like a lot of others, mine are regular, but I’ve been on hormonal birth control for several years. It’s usually not too heavy, although it was noticeably lighter this month. Can’t complain about that too much. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/30 "2011-12-01T07:50:16Z")
There’s no option for “not menopausal but doesn’t have periods.” I have PCOS and only have periods when I’m on hormonal birth control, which I quit taking after the end of my last long-term relationship. So it’s been over a year since I bled out my snatch. I didn’t care for the side effects of HBC (also the risk of blood clots–although I’ve quit smoking now, I’m still heavy, with a very sedentary job/life), and I hate periods and don’t want kids anyway, so this is working for now. If fertility becomes a concern of mine at some point in my life (it won’t), then I might address it. ---
**Author:** ![highrollinwooded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/71c47a/32.png) [@highrollinwooded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/highrollinwooded)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/31 "2011-12-01T13:43:18Z")
I had early cervical cancer and had a hysterectomy 7 years ago, and it was the best thing that ever happened! I do NOT miss those bloody times of the month…I think it is absolutely GROSS!!! ---
**Author:** ![otternell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecc23a/32.png) [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/32 "2011-12-01T14:00:17Z")
on HBC like many others. However, the one month I went off of it, it was double the regular flow and I had cramps for the 1st time in 20 yrs. Needless to say, that experiment only lasted one month, and I am back on. I’m over 35, so would like to get off HBC, but not if it means I have to have a real period again. Its a dilemma. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/33 "2011-12-01T14:08:28Z")
None of the options fit me well either. I answered clockwork because I don’t have them at all, like clockwork? I adore my Mirena. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/34 "2011-12-01T19:04:38Z")
Historically, they were regular and horrible. My doctor speculates that I have endometriosis. Ever since I’ve gone on Depo-Provera I don’t have periods anymore, and I don’t suffer (except that I can’t stop eating.) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/35 "2011-12-01T20:42:38Z")
For decades I had an extremely regular 32 day cycle. NOTHING disturbed it. I’m now 28-32 days, and they’re definitely getting lighter, so put me down for the early stages of menopause. I still voted “regular as clockwork” though, as I’m probably _still_ more regular than a lot of other women ever were. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/36 "2011-12-01T20:54:35Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I had my uterus over 11 years ago. Congrats! Hope you passed out cee-gars! mmm ---
**Author:** ![missinformation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@missinformation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missinformation)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/37 "2011-12-01T22:17:58Z")
Just had to post on this topic yesterday…22 days and got it this morning…grrrrrr ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/38 "2011-12-01T23:48:07Z")
I don’t get periods since I went on continuous-dose birth control. As long as I don’t run out of pills over a holiday, I’m period-free. It’s heaven. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/39 "2011-12-01T23:59:38Z")
I’m approaching the first anniversary of my hysterectomy. Count me among the “Best thing I ever did” bunch! Pre-hysterectomy, my periods were regular as clockwork and necessitated Exxon-Valdez-absorbancy feminine hygiene products. Anemia is teh suxxor. ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583/40 "2011-12-02T01:03:08Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Historically, they were regular and horrible. My doctor speculates that I have endometriosis. Ever since I’ve gone on Depo-Provera I don’t have periods anymore, and I don’t suffer (except that I can’t stop eating.) I could have written this post earlier in the year, but I’ve just swapped to Jadelle implants a month or so ago. I feel happier and more in control of my eating but that is not reflected in my weight yet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-how-go-your-periods/604583.md?page=1)