whacky cycle

[faceless-facade.livejournal.com]

I’ve got a concern. It’s not something I’m really worried about but I am curious. I have had my period for about 7 years now and I have always had a regular, predictable cycle. I was only late on two occasions, but I was expecting that. I’ve noticed something though. I started having sex in May and my cycle has been a little weird since then.
I’m in a long distance relationship and I only get to see my bf every 3 months or so. We decided to have sex in May, which was my first time. And since we see each other so long and far between, we have sex a lot when we’re together. I don’t know if any of this would factor into it, but that’s my suspicion and I was just curious as to if that was the reason.
Now, in May I was on time [that was before I was able to see my bf], in June I was late by 5 days, extending my cycle from 28 days to 33. I was on time in July, which is a cycle of 28 days [I did not see my bf in this time]. In August I was late by 4 days, which I was not expecting, but I had been stressing out about going on an airplane for the first time to see my bf and meet his family. I figure that was what it was from; the stress and the altitude changes, time zone too… That extending my cycle to 32 days. I spent two weeks with my bf in August and was late by 5 days in September, extending my cycle to 33 days [it seems to go to 33 days after I’ve had sex]. October I was on time, 28 days between. But then I was late this month by 3 days and I don’t know why. There hasn’t really been any huge lifestyle changes or diet changes or even stress… I have been stressed lately, but it’s normal, it’s nothing over the top.
During the months that my period is late by a few days, by the 28th day [which is when my cycle is suppose to start] it feels like I have my period, it smells like I have my period…. But there’s no blood, and no discharge that I’ve noticed. But the feeling I have- I would swear that I have it and yet I don’t…
Also, the past two months i have noticed a tenderness in my left breast whenever it gets close to when i am going to start my period. It lasts until after my period is done (5 days). I have never experienced this before, i mean, i dont even get cramps.

I was just curious as to if any of you could explain this to me better, or if my guess is correct in it’s just my body’s way of adjusting to being sexually active…

I just want to know a way to predict it again… It’s driving me nuts, not being able to know when to expect it anymore. I was lucky for 7 years…


Thanks.

Comments

[butweweredocked.livejournal.com]

You were very lucky. Maybe your luck has run out. But that 'ghost period' thing is a little strange. I don't know, I've heard sex can really interfere with the female body. I'd just chalk it up to that.
But maybe talk to a doctor. Feeling like you have it when it's not there is pretty peculiar.

[dindin.livejournal.com]

It's normal for women's cycles to change. You're still having pretty regular cycles, ranging from 28-33 days. That's still within normal/average. Women's bodies, and sometimes their cycles change as they get older - as long as you're keeping track of it, and you're getting periods consistently, you don't have anything to be concerned about.

[faceless-facade.livejournal.com]

But it's not normal for me... I usually go 28 dys between and now it's fluctuating each month... I used to be able to predict when I would get my period and now I have no clue at all. Not to mention, that I feel like I have it but I don't... I'm just confused.

[dindin.livejournal.com]

Right - your cycles are changing and fluctuating a bit. Even if they haven't done that in the past, that's acceptable for women's bodies to do. There's nothing wrong with that. As long as they're not fluctuating wildly, it's normal, it's okay. It's following a pattern, you're getting one about every month, it's normal. I know you'd like to have it every 28 days, but your body is changing and there's nothing wrong with that. You could consider going on hormonal birth control if you're dead set on a 28 day cycle every month, but there's nothing wrong with what your cycles are doing. I usually "feel" my period for a couple of days before I actually get it.

[faceless-facade.livejournal.com]

I was lucky for 7 years; it just sucks. Thanks for your advice. It's also nice to know I'm not the only one who has a "ghost" period for a few days.