Just curious whether anyone else has experienced this. It's Friday and I can't see my doctor until next week, so any comments/advice are welcome.
I have been diagnosed with PCOS for the last 2 years. My cycles are "normally" anywhere from 8-11 weeks apart, are very heavy, and are accompanied by severe cramps. I'm also hypothyroid and am taking synthroid, and am taking lexapro for depression. No other meds.
2 1/2 weeks ago, I had my cycle at the "normal" time (8 weeks), but there was no PMS, no cramping, and it was very light. It lasted 5 days. I did a pregnancy test just to check, as we don't use the pill, only condoms. It was negative. For the past week, my breasts have hurt like crazy and I've been bloated. TONS of CM since the last period. Today, I started light cramping and very light, bright pink bleeding.
My concern is that I've NEVER had a cycle that was shorter than 5 weeks and I've never had a period without cramps. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks.
I'm with you on this one! My average cycle is around 42 days but I've had 50, 80, & 100 day cycles. Until recently I had only one cycle in the last 3 years that was 'normal'... 29 days... which was followed by a 50 day cycle. Now, all of the sudden, my last 2 cycles were 30 & 32 days. I am so confused! I have had all kinds of periods too... heavy to extremely light, excrutiating to barely a twinge... there is no consistency. I tend to have really terrible cramps & irritability but I've also had a few exactly as you described. Isn't it a funny feeling to be concerned about having a 'normal' cycle?
Sometimes women have 'breakthrough bleeding' which can happen at ovulation or during a long cycle. This is how a book I have explains it...
Quote:
The endometrium builds up so much that the top layer cannot be sustained just by estrogen, so it breaks down. I may be only spotting, or it may be like a normal menstrual flow.
~The Art of Natural Family Planning by John Kippley
This could make it seem like you are having a period & would definitely give a confusing count of cycle days. Also, if you ovulated you may feel some pain too but not the other symptoms that come with menstruation. This could explain the unusual cycle.
I'd suggest talking to your doc about meds for PCOS. A lot of women find that metformin or progesterone helps regulate their cycles. I was just diagnosed & haven't had any experience with meds yet but it could definitely help make things a little more predictable for you. Just know you are certainly not alone!
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Just curious whether anyone else has experienced this. My concern is that I've NEVER had a cycle that was shorter than 5 weeks and I've never had a period without cramps. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks.
Sometimes antidepressants can do this. How long have you been on the Lexapro?
Have you lost or gained any weight recently? I ask because since I've lost weight, my cycles have been coming every 3 weeks instead of every 4 to 5 weeks, sometimes short, crampy, long, and sometimes not crampy.
Similar to what you mention for yourself here.
When I was taking antidepressants, I rarely got cramps - don't know why though.
Just my experience....
new cycle abnormality 
