body tmi

[serene]

So I went off birth-control pills a little under a month ago, I think (I'd
have to check to see). A few days ago, I noticed really terribly sore
nipples. Then yesterday or the day before, water retention. Also, before
I went on birth-control pills 5 or 6 years ago, I had my period every day
(though some days weren't more than spotting).

Yesterday, as I was out walking with someotherguy (or was it the
day before? I suck at timelines), I mused aloud about whether I could be
pregnant. Probably not, but...?

Then last night I realized that what was probably happening was
pre-menstrual symptoms that had likely been muted by the Pill.

Today? Cramps. (I've never had cramps in my life, even when I was
menstruating every day.)

I think maybe I'd better count on getting my period in a day or two. With
any luck, it'll end before I get on a plane for 12 hours on Wednesday.

Comments

[revcarol.livejournal.com]

That sounds horrible. And those symptoms could be either an upcoming menstrual cycle or an upcoming child. Would a child be a Good Thing or a Bad Thing?

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

I have mixed feelings about whether a child would be a good thing or a bad thing. That said, I've decided to definitely not have a child, so in order to keep me from having to make a tough decision (either giving a child up for adoption or raising a child I don't feel prepared to have -- I don't believe in abortion for myself), I'm hoping I'm not pregnant. If I don't get my period soon, though, I'm gonna go get a test just to be sure.

[revcarol.livejournal.com]

Then I hope it's just the Period From Hell. Are you thinking of going back on the pill if it makes this much difference to your poor ol' bod?

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

Nah. The symptoms are mild (twinges, not heavy cramps, for instance) and the return of my sex drive when I went off the pill for a week is the reason I decided to stay off it. :-)

[hmms-sio.livejournal.com]

I think I know how you feel. I'm three weeks late, but definitely not pregnant. More likely that it is the (start of the) menopause. But for three weeks I have pms-type things. Blotching, restless nights, crying without (or with) reason, irritable, etc etc. And but for today and yesterday I've been waking up with tension in my abdomen for more than two weeks... like she is about to jump out any moment now... It's worsened by the heatwave we have here of course!

[karenthecroccy.livejournal.com]

When I went off the pill for a month, I got all those kinds of symptoms. The cramps alone were enough to say "Okay, gimme more pills please".

[annaoj.livejournal.com]

i've been thinking about essure or getting my tubes tied...and i realized that i have no real idea what my period is like off the pill! i've been more on the pill than off since i was 19. i don't know my cycle length, or if i have pms...i vaguely remember being very thankful for advil becoming otc when i was in high school, so i must've had cramps then.

[ljgeoff.livejournal.com]

In my experience, bleeding is heavier off the pill, too. For me, about twice as heavy. You might want to plan for that.

Menopause

[revcarol.livejournal.com]

http://tinypic.com/view/?pic=219vwxj

Re: Menopause

[hmms-sio.livejournal.com]

Thank you sooooo much for this :)