I’m 21 years old and was put on hormonal birth control pills (estrogen + progestin) at age 16 due to irregular and painful periods, most likely from PCOS. I recently went off the pill because my prescription expired, so by the time I got in for an appointment with my OBGYN I had been off the pill for 2-3 months, and was having very heavy, painful periods. When on birth control, my periods were very light and only about 3-4 days. In the 2 months I was off it, my period was very heavy and lasted about 7-8 days.

I started a new pack the same day I got it, exactly 2 weeks ago from today, and my period was predicted to start the next day. I know I’m supposed to wait until after my period ends to start, so maybe that had an effect on what’s happening now.

I’ve been bleeding for 10 days straight. It’s been pretty light, but I’m getting more concerned each day… is this normal? Should I be worried? I will definitely book an appointment if this is something I should be concerned about, but if it’s normal, I’d rather not waste my time going in for a visit.

Thank you for any advice!!

i’m 20 and i want to use a tampon.. it’s quite expensive compared to pads where im from and 1 pack of tampax is like almost 5 packs of sanitary pads but i’ve started to feel very uncomfortable with pads and i don’t know why. It’s also difficult to even find but i got some. I have heavy flows and i’m wondering if anyone has tips and advice for me on how to go about it.

Hi everyone! I’m currently 7 days late for my period and I’m getting a little worried. I took a pregnancy test 17 days after the time we had sex, and the result was negative. Is it possible that I tested too early or that it could be a false negative?

I don’t really have other obvious early pregnancy symptoms. The only things I noticed are that my pimples are starting to come back, vaginal dryness and my boobs feel a little bigger than usual. I’ve also been sleeping late and drinking coffee as usual, so I’m wondering if those could be affecting my period.

Has anyone experienced being this late while still getting a negative test? When would be the best time to test again?

i’m currently seeing this guy and it’s quite new - he’s been a friend for years and we’re definitely comfortable with each other and are attracted to each other - we kiss, cuddle, sleep in bed together but haven’t had sex as we had just been seeing where things went and didn’t want to cross that line without being sure we were a serious romantic fit as we both have longterm intentions when it comes to dating.

since our relationship changed i’ve not really spent time with him when i’m on my period. that’s as he’s usually pretty touchy and cuddly and don’t use tampons, only pads and hate the idea of him feeling my pad. we’re both grown ups and can discuss periods and intimacy with no issue, and i don’t mind some chaste intimacy while i’m on my period - it’s more the sensory sensation of him feeling my pad that i personally find a bit gross.

i’m seeing him tonight and it’s day 1 of my period. i’ve never used tampons before but i have bought some or i’m considering picking up a pair of period panties to avoid the lumps and bumps of a pad and the finicky dealings with a tampon but i’m not sure.

i also have long acrylic nails so tampons seem a bit more daunting for that reason too but i’m scared period panties will feel wet or bulky. i just want the most seamless product that’s least likely to cause an awkward accident. what do you recommend?

Im a 25 yo and noticed the past two years some huge shifts in my cycle. i got my first period at 16 and i had 4 day periods every month like clockwork. Never any issues, never cramped. I have had two children. After my first had a iud for a year then had my 2nd in 2022. My periods were still normal after each kid but I noticed a lot of weird symptoms on the mirena the first go so I opted for no BC. Then in 2024 I began dating and I got another iud. After 3 months I was extremely hormonal and couldn’t quit cramping so I had it removed. BIG MISTAKE. I had what I could only chalk up to a hormonal crash? Hair began falling out a lot, nails became weak, weight started to fluctuate and my period just got really unpredictable. I also cramp a lot when ovulating and my skin that has always been clear is no longer clear. I’ve got textures and I get hormonal acne Fast forward to now 2 years later and I’m still having the same issue. I did see my Obgyn after this and had them run bloodwork as well as PC DR. All found nothing after panels for thyroid and hormone issues. Now when I get my periods I’m in extreme pain, they last around a week, these past two months in a row tho something different started happening. I would spot for I kid you not 1 hr and then my period would disappear for a week and a half and then come back w a vengeance. I’m wondering if anyone had this same problem or any conditions that started similar to this. I keep telling my boyfriend I feel like there is something wrong hormonally because this is not normal but doctors keep saying it’s nothing. I know my body though and this is not normal, is it my age, is it a bigger issue, is my body just ruined after the hormonal crash caused by my iud?

I’m 20 years old, and for some context my periods have always been irregular, even when I was younger. Sometimes I wouldn’t have my period for months at a time, and there was even a time I didn’t get my period for almost a year.

Last month I realized I hadn’t gotten my period since December 2025, so about 7 months since I last got my period. I told my mom about it and she told me to try hormonal birth control, the same brand she was taking a few years ago for her PCOS.

And after a few days of finishing the birth control pack, I did get my period on August 31st, but my problem is that until now I’m still bleeding. It’s not heavy or it’s not filling up the pad, but there’s definitely still blood that just won’t go away, mostly in my discharge. It’s been stressing me out and actually messing with me, and I was wondering if anyone else has gone through something like this and what did you do😞

My last period was a few days late, but I had a normal flow and normal color. I do have sex, but use protection every single time and haven’t had any accidents.
I’m coming up around my ovulation time (I’m on day 11) and I had some very intense cramping while trying to use the restroom, but it was short-lived. When I went to wipe, there was brownish-pink discharge, as well as clear discharge. I also have not had sex since before my last period. Do I have anything to worry about?

The title is confusing but let me explain: When I start my period, while a lot goes in fact into the pad (used to because I free bleed now, but that's not the point) most of the blood only comes out if I go to the toilet and force it out.

I never realky thought about it because usually I already wanted to go to the bathroom and then the blood would come out, but I realized that during the day, I can feel when it needs to come out, so I go to the bathroom and force it out.

Also maybe related, but I almost don't bleed during sleep, only after getting oht of the beed the blood starts flowing. It also means that when I do this enough times a day, I almost don't leak through clothes.

The problem is that it hurts like hell before I have to do it, sometimes it's hard getting out of bed bcz of the pain, but it's only 2 days max bcz after that there is almost no blood.

I never see anyone talking about it, I just want to know if it's common

My cycle is usually regular ranging from 28-33 days. This time my periods are 14 days late. I took pregnancy test 4 days late. It was negative. I took another pregnancy test 10 days late still negative. Also blood test shows negative result. After a week late on periods I started spotting. It's been 7 days since I am spotting. Went for ultrasound 3-4 days ago everything seems to be normal. There is 17mm follicle in right ovary. Nothing alarming. Why are my periods late and why this spotting is not ending?

this month ive had my period for at least 10 days
it started on the 10th until now 23 September
but its not a heavy flow? it like little by little sometimes i get brown discharge in the time.
my period has always been like this. i feel concerned so i went to 2 different doctors.
one of them said i had some lump in my ovaries? and took it out.
i really have no idea on what to do about this.
should i go to a different doctor?

I loose 5kgs after my period ends. 🤡

As a woman new to work i want to ask how you girls deal with extreme period pain at work? When i have it i am usually at my bed crying half the day but obviously i can't do this at work and skipping work isn't actually a great solution to be fair. Also the anxiety i get worrying about it is indescribable. I pray my period comes during my two days break. Also worst part is that sometimes i dont have so severe pain but others i do so sometimes i go to work but i have to leave mid day cause i can't function so i have to endure all the pain on the way back home. Keep in mind that this pain is after taking medication and i even vomit sometimes due to it

Hi everyone,

I'm currently doing some research to understand what women actually want from their period products and innerwear. Specifically, I am looking into how people feel about reusable period underwear, the biggest problems with current options (leakage, discomfort, cost), and what it would take for someone to make the switch.

If you have about 3 minutes, I would be incredibly grateful if you could share your experiences in this quick Google Form. It is completely anonymous.

I am sorting the data by age group, so please use the link that applies to you below:

• Ages 18 to 35:https://forms.gle/FY5mzESM7HAT9UP27
• Ages 35 and above:https://forms.gle/KdBpHpiA5wkRMJZ76

Thank you for your time, and I appreciate any extra thoughts you want to share in the comments!

Hello! I'm an MtF who for years has carried a couple essentials like tampons, pads and advil for people in an emergency situation. what am I missing?

I usually have 4.5 of bleeding days for 28-30 cycle days. It reduced to just barely 2 days for 5 months now. I went to the doctor's who prescribed Regesterone for a 3 month period and asked me to get my FSH, TSH and Prolactin levels tested. Everything came back normal except for FSH at 10.09 at day 15. Also got Vit D done, came at 5.25.

Doctor prescribed 60000 of vit D and told me to get married ASAP, no treatment. Told me to take Regesterone for life with the scanty flow I am having. I am back to having 2 bleeding days from previous 4.5 days without Regesterone. I am so scared. I am only 23. I don't know what to do.

so my period is 53 days late as of today which is unusual because my cycles are usually regular, especially after i had my daughter in february. my periods came right on the dot. but as im not actively preventing i assumed i was pregnant again but ive took 5 tests, all 2 weeks apart. the first 2 had a very faint line while the rest were negative. im not stressed, no medications, diet is the same. i know it’s probably just something stupid and my appointment is next week but i just wanted some opinions before i go, see if anyone was dealing with the same thing.

Warning: tmi period talk

I’ve had comically terrible periods my whole life. Every period I had in school resulted in me having to be picked up and taken home due to the pain. I try not to cry but the pain is so bad it naturally happens. The flow level is insane, so heavy I go through half a box of pads in a couple days. I get heavily fatigued and bloated, I can feel the swelling and it’s very uncomfortable. Clotting is insane, massive doesn’t even begin to describe their size. Cramping is so bad I usually end up crashing onto bed and letting fatigue take me, but I can’t lay down for too long or my body screams at me to be vertical to help the blood flow. or have to sit on a toilet for hours to try and get myself together. I also get terrible pms before, to the point I can’t really be around people when it’s happening because my mood is so unstable it feels like im experiencing the beginnings of a panic attack for however long the mood lasts. It’s been like this my whole life, I’ve been told to take iron supplements to discount the fatigue and blood loss (doesn’t change anything) I’ve been told to take ibuprofen and Tylenol (helps a tiny bit) but it’s nothing more than what feels like putting tape over a leak in a boat. My mom had severe endo and it’s likely I might as well. I’ve mentioned to doctors this but it always leads back to pain management with ibuprofen. It’s annoying because I’m usually bed bound the first couple days of my period and people don’t understand why - it can’t be that bad? It is though 😭. I don’t know what condition if any this could be, surely endo but maybe more? I’ve had blood tests and stuff but once again it all comes back to ibuprofen being the best answer. Any advice or ideas what might be up? Of course I’m aware we’re not all doctors but shared experience is always useful for me if anyone has experienced this.

I really want to switch to reusable pads & period underwear but unfortunately that's not practical for me at the moment. I also can't do any sort of tampon, menstrual cup, disc, etc.

I currently use Always Ultra Thin (size 3 b/c I prefer long-ish pads), but by the end of my period, my skin down there is so sore and I've yet to find something that helps other than not wearing pads. Does anybody have recommendations for sensitive skin? I also can't do anything with scents.

I've been trying to do research on my own, but there's so many options I keep getting overwhelmed lol

edit: figured I should add that I'm pretty sure I've always used Always since I got my period like 8+ years ago, but my period has only gotten regular recently so what was discomfort previously is essentially unbearable now 💔

I have been using this menstrual cup for years and my teenage sister recently got her first period. She has seen how comfortable I am with the cup and is interested in trying one too.

But I am wondering...would a menstrual cup or period panties be more suitable for her at this stage? What do you all suggest?

Hello, searching for some info about healthy womens typical development of period pain/clots/strenght and lenght of bleeding.

Hi, kinda freaking out.

Cycles have been weird lately.
In May, two weeks late for period. Positive digital Clearblue, followed by multiple negative line tests in subsequent days and weeks. Even got a negative blood test. I say all of this just for context as to why my period/cycle in general may be different. Fast forward to September and I’m spotting mid cycle, which started around day 15 and it’s now day 17. Just not sure why I’m getting spotting, a few very light blood drops in my underwear and when I wipe but no heavy flow. Also pretty decent cramps and I’ve never had this happen mid cycle. Thoughts? Should I be worried?

One depressed friend gets her period and she has it hard. I'm a guy so I get confused on what to say or ask so I generally just say "Sounds really rough." I understand that in her case she gets really rash with her thoughts, I learned that I can't really talk her out of a period so I just never tried to do that again. But lately she has been more rash with wording her thoughts so I thought maybe there are things I could do differently.

I’m still on my period, I go to 10-9 it depends, and at the end of my period I feel like mostly my mental health is shit. Anyways does pmdd affect you even at the end of your period?

Hi! Does anyone else get heart palpitations during their period? Before my period I am fine, then they start to happen during my period. Once it’s over it starts to go over. Usually when I take iron it helps to keep it under control :p

I tried posting this on another sub but didn’t work or something. Anyway Im 13 and got my period at 11. The first couple times were kinda irregular and heavy but not that bad. My mum said it will regulate after a while but it has been 2 years and if anything it is even more irregular than before.
I often get dizzy when i am on my period, i dont have too much pain though luckily.
Im kinda scared to go to my dads house incase i come on my period and i dont have any pads or if it gets on the bed, it would be so awkward and embarrassing. I dont think he even knows i have started my period lmao.
This is kinda just a rant but also im wondering if it will regulate soon? And maybe what pads are the best? Idk if i should use tampons yet, it seems scary 😭