So I have something here I think no one, absolutely no one, will comment on. (Do you sense the challenge?) I have not menstruated for over a month. I have also not had sex with anyone for much much much longer than that. Why? (I hear you query) Would I do something as reprehensible as publish this simple fact? Well it's because I have this thing that my cycle is actually a measure of my health. I don't dread it. It doesn't like make me crazy or make me sick or cause me pain. It's like every month I have this check in. I'm okay. everything is in working order, this is just as it should be. But not this month. Hmmmm. Stress? My mother became perimenopausal when she was in her thirties. Just lucky? I don't think it's lucky to miss my monthly check-in. Concern furrows my brow. More than usual. Just say something. Anything. I dare you.
Posted by jlp716 at August 12, 2004 12:10 AMa change in your exercise/exertion level can also effect your cycle.
(cain't never refuse no challenge.)
Posted by: raej at August 12, 2004 01:58 AMHa! I laugh at your puny challenge!
Why, talking about menstr --, mens --, me --, that "woman thing" is a piece of cake!
But, in all seriousness, it seems like I've read somewhere that anything that puts physical stress on the body: increase or decrease in exercise at raej pointed out, changes in diet, sleep cycle, environmental factors, you name it -- can affect hormonal output, which can in turn cause irregular menstrual (see, I told you I could say it!) cycles.
Sounds like you've got two options: wait another month and see if the ole' plumbing goes back to normal, or else get yerself over to your friendly neighborhood OBGYN for a check up.
Posted by: KING COMTE I at August 12, 2004 01:16 PMI'm pretty sure you're pregnant.
Posted by: Joshua at August 13, 2004 12:53 PMOoh, if Joshua is correct, and what you said in your post is true, then you better get on the phone with the Big Guy at The Vatican ASAP, 'cause you gots something IMPORTANT to tell him...
Posted by: KING COMTE I at August 13, 2004 03:18 PMCall me old fashioned, but I'm guessing you have made a pact with the powers of darkness. Ease in childbirth and thought-controlled orgasms are soon to follow.
Posted by: sgnp at August 16, 2004 01:14 AM**Warning: "woman things" like cervixes and ovulation of people you know will be discussed below. Read at own risk.**
I see your challenge and raise you _Taking Charge of Your Fertility_ which, despite the off-putting title, is a basic Understanding Your Plumbing (UYP) book every woman should read. UYP has practical applications in reproduction and contraception, but is pretty valuable just for its own sake. Understand Your Plumbing. It's good for you.
Basically, all of the hormonal changes of the mentrual cycle have very subtle physical manifestations, and once you learn to recognize the signs, you'll know what's doing what and when, and when you should be worried and when you shouldn't.
[PERSONAL] I take my temperature every morning -- there are other checks I don't bother with, like manually locating the cervix (eep!) but temp is easy -- and know the morning that my period will start, every time. It's pretty cool. To wit: the time in my cycle that I'd normally ovulate (which determines, in turn, the time of menstruation) fell smack in the middle of tech week for ABOTD; unsurprisingly, my temperature stayed the same all that week, and once hell was over I saw my temp rise, noted that it was exactly one week late, and correctly predicted that my period would be exactly one week late. Again, pretty cool. [/PERSONAL]
None of this, of course, is of any use to you right now. It's not uncommon for women our age, who have been fruitlessly cranking out the ova for years and years, to see cycles slow down or randomly skip. If it worries you, see your GYN; if not, wait and see. I'd definitely see a doctor if you miss another cycle, though -- there are lots of reasons to be anovulatory, but you'll want to rule out medical problems.
Posted by: TMI molly at August 16, 2004 04:51 PMNorton - I'm SO sure.
SGNP - My pact with the dark lord was well defined in the contract I signed in my own blood. And there are specific stipulations about uninterrupted menses. He may be a fucker, but he can follow a contract like Darrow. He's seen too many episodes of Highway to Heaven to try and stupid tricks that may result in renegotiation or reniging on said contract.
Molly - true true and true. While I'm not generally dedicated enough to take my temp every day, I have done in the past. Yay TCYF.
Lastly, I'm sure you'll all be beyond overjoyed to hear I'm premenstrual. I've even had my dream of blood being spilt which inevitably harkens the advent of the actual bloody tissue being spilt.