Sensitive subject/female question?

[Enchanted]

I have the same problem, but I was too embarrassed to ask! Congrats to the OP for being so brave!

Is there a way to do this without birth control? I'm turning 18 in a few days, and er, I'm not AT ALL sexually active (haven't even been kissed yet ). I don't think I want to deal with all of the side effects just to delay my period. Does anyone know of a natural way to change your cycle? Maybe delay it or start it up early?

I know my cycle has changed to fit with the women around me before. I have a group of friends online, and we all have our cycle at the exact same time (We all giggle and blame it on cyber-pheromones. ). I also link up cycles with a woman friend from my summer job once we start working together again. Do you think this might be my only chance? Or is there some other way to do it? Again, birth control really isn't an option for me. Thanks in advance!

 

[AllyCatTapia]

yeah I was going to say the same as above.... go see a DOC (cause of risk of clots etc) BUT if you are JUST STARTING pills it's probably already too late cause they will mess you up for a while.

 

[TravelinGal]

Quick female lesson before I offer my suggestion.

The first part of your cycle (menses to ovulation) is when time variances usually occur (ie stress etc). You many ovulate on day 14 as a general rule, but have a stressful week - ovulation can be delayed. Ovulation does not always occur on day 14 as is commonly believed. (charting your temperature is a great way to know exactly when you ovulate.) The second part of the cycle (the Luteal Phase) is, unless medically altered or pregnant, the part of the cycle that does not change. If it is 12 days, it will always be 12 days regardless of stress etc. The luteal phase is the time between ovulation and menses. Luteal phase defect is when the LP is less than 10 days - as is mine (makes it very difficult to get pregnant). But I don't ovulate until day 19 (or so) so I still appear to have a "normal" 28 day cycle. Using the following (b-6 and progesterone cream) I was able to add 3 days onto my LP, so it's not a huge difference, but 2 days may make the difference as far as not having "Aunt Flo" visit while on vacation... It usually takes 2 or 3 months of treatments to start seeing a change. If you are interested in trying this, I'd strongly suggest the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. This is good for young and old alike!! (including gals who are not sexually active - BTW- YAY! to you!! ) I found a copy in my local library so I didn't have to pay for it.

The luteal phase has been successfully extended by many women with the following over the counter items:

The two main things that help to correct a luteal phase defect with over-the-counter remedies are vitamin B6 and progesterone cream. Vitamin B6 can be taken daily in dosages from 50 mg to 200 mg. Vitamin B6 is perfectly safe to take during pregnancy as well. Taking vitamin B6 every day during the entire month will help to lengthen the luteal phase as well as ease PMS and morning sickness.

A progesterone cream is usually targeted for menopausal women, however this cream is also useful in lengthening the luteal phase. A cream with natural progesterone works best. Be cautious of creams containing wild yam - because wild yam contains estrogen as well as progesterone. Use about 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of progesterone cream spread on the inner arm, inner thigh, neck, and chest - alternating places - twice a day from ovulation to menstruation or until the 10th week of pregnancy. (Ask your doctor for advice before using the progesterone cream.)

Another safe supplement that can help lengthen your LP is Red Raspberry
(335 mg pure Rubus Idaeus twice a day) to strengthen the uterus, thus lengthen LP.

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions - I've been doing this (charting etc) for many many years and am glad to share with anyone who is curious.

Hope that helps a little bit!
Robin

 

[beckmrk04]

I'm nursing, so no pills. I don't like the daily thing either. Anyhow... I get depro shots which stop it totally. Might take a few months (3-4), but if you're not planning on getting pregnant soon (it can take awhile for fertility to return), it's really nice.

Other than that, just skip the placebos and go straight to the next pack (if on the pill). No period.

Or try the nuva ring. My ob loves it. She says just changes it the first of the month to skip the whole period thing. She advocates skipping *it* as long as it's safe.

I am on the Nuva ring too, and it works similarly to the pill.... I would have been on myperiod for our wedding (aaaaaahh), but instead, when I should have left the NR our for a week, I just put a new one in right away. The pills work the same way. Instead of taking the placebos, you jump right to your next pack of pills. I had no probs, and a period-free wedding and honeymoon in WDW!! Good luck!

PS- the Nuva Ring is so easy to use,I have been on it about 2 1/2 years now. Liek another poster said, it's just a flexible little ring, inserted for 3 weeks, out for 1, I have had no problems, you leave it in all the time, I can't feel it, (no, he can't either- I get asked that a lot). I can't remember to take pills, so I knew that was not an option for me, and I gained 50 lbs on the Depo shot...I am surprised that more people don't know about the nuva ring, but anyway- it has the same side effects as the pills generally do, and it doesn't work for everyone. I love it though!

 

[Dina]

I did it before my wedding. I forget what exactly I did, but I remember counting days and figuring when to start a new pack (like a year before my wedding)

 

[mcgrawfan]

To those interested in Seasonale. I was going to use this after I had DD, but my insurance wouldn't cover it. It was going to be like $135 for a 3 month supply as compared to a copay of $10 per month. I forget what I am taking now but my "friend" is practically non existant. I like that. But had been thinking the same as the OP for my next trip if it is that time, I am just skipping the placebos as previous posters have said.