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Antlantique Ascoli Skirt (one size) | purchased with credits at Garmentory –
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Birkenstock Arizona Sandals
James Perse mini canvas tote (my color is a few years old and sold out)
I’m not sure we have such a thing as TMI here on Grechen’s Closet (I talk about EVERYTHING…), but since I had my IUD removed a couple months ago I’m really having a hard time getting used to “having a period” again. Ugh. Without the IUD I am emotionally MUCH more stable than I was with all that progesterone running through my body. I would get very depressed and angry and sort of manic at times during my cycle and it scared me. But I didn’t bleed at all, and didn’t have any menstrual migraines either.
Now, I bleed for one or two days, but it’s substantial. And I have mild-to-medium migraines for a week or so. I have weird digestive issues for a day or two, and more cramping than I used to. Emotionally I feel much more balanced, but yesterday I was super antsy and irritable all day; I didn’t want to interact with anyone (and vice versa).
I’ve been thinking of trying a menstrual cup and the Daysy ovulation calculator for birth control. Does anyone have any feedback on either? I’m not interested in going back on hormonal birth control now that I’m completely off. Anyway, the reason I switched to the IUD in the first place was because I had a migraine-with-aura once and my neurologist suggested I shouldn’t take birth control pills anymore.
I wish I’d just go through menopause already. But that’s not happening yet.
Oh, and I don’t think I updated you on the “abnormal” ovarian cyst I had earlier in the year – I went back after eight weeks and it was gone.
I’m very thankful for my mild periods overall. I just have to get used to having them again! Honestly the hardest thing to get used to is the lack of “easy” birth control haha.
Enough about that for today 🙂
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Happy Monday!
I too enjoyed almost non-existent periods when I had an IUD. Good times!
Menstrual cup: I have one and I love it. There is a little bit of a learning curve but once you get the hang of it you’ll never want to fuss with tampons or pad again. Not to mention the zero-waste aspect.
Birth control: My husband got a vasectomy when I ditched the IUD. I don’t know if that’s an option for you all but it’s made our lives easier.
I’d love my husband to get a vasectomy but I’m also not ready to give up the Pill. 25 years, nice regulation etc. I went off for 8 months a few years back because my MD was worried it was affecting my cholesterol levels. It wasn’t, and I found a new MD [old one did not handle my concerns well….] Anyway – I did not love the time of not being on the Pill, so husband is probably right I’m not willing to give it up. Scary conversation last year with primary care MD (a lovely older woman who’s been practicing forever- VERY down to earth) I asked what menopause looks like when you’re on the Pill. She said , “well, you’ll stop getting a period, and you’ll freak out and think you’re pregnant, you’ll come see me and we’ll do some tests.” So there’s that to look forward to….. And as long as we’re all into TMI today, in the past year (I’m 45) I think I’m a little, er, “too dry” – tampons aren’t nearly as comfortable as they used to be. Good grief.
Sorry about the periods & the migraines especially! I’m super lucky I’ve never had issues around a hormonal method, but so many friends have. Hope you find something that works! What about homeopathic treatments?
Gotta second the cup. I got one 8 years ago and you could not pay me to ever ever ever use a tampon ever ever ever again.
It’s absolutely worth trying, I PROMISE.
I can’t speak to the IUD (I’m far too terrified of the pain of insertion to try one and I don’t like the idea of just being able to stop whenever I want), but I can speak to the menstrual cup. I’ve been using one on and off for about a year and a half and I like it for the most part. I use a Diva cup simply because it was available in my local drug store. Recently, I trimmed the stem and it got a lot more comfortable, so I would suggest thinking about that if you try one. I sometimes find inserting it to be a bit difficult (especially if things are pretty dry at the time) and I’ve addressed it by inserting in the shower or with some kind of lubricant. It also sometimes causes a small flareup of a cyst in the area (I think from the irritation of insertion). All that makes it sound like I wouldn’t like the menstrual cup, but I really do. I find it less irritating than pads and not painful like tampons. I don’t always feel comfortable wearing it all day or overnight, so I’m planning to start using cloth pads when I need them.
I gotta say, I love a good TMI post 😉
Third on the cup when I had my period. I have been menopausal for about 4 years now – but loved the cup. trying to get my teenage girls on it…
So, I started with a Diva Cup and now have a meLune shorty (with just the nub to pull it out). I’m 42, no kids. It showed up and looked so small I was concerned, but it’s SO MUCH easier to put in and has never leaked and I can’t feel the little nub at all.
It’s worth trying another. IMHO, if you can feel it at all, it’s too big.
Good luck!
Hey Grechen, I’m sorry to hear you are not feeling well and I can definitely relate. When I went off of Depo, mine were all over the place. Depo and any hormonal bc just affected me badly in my 40s as well (depression, increased hunger and belly weight), completely different experience than in my 20s when I felt much better due to it got rid of my intense cramping. It took about 1 year after finishing Depo for everything to feel more routine again. I was mid 40s then. In the past few years, it got wonky again. Nothing for months, then I had the heaviest I’ve ever had (I was 49), it was crazy. I had to buy those super maxis on top of a tampon, checking once an hour and literally felt weak. I had an important meeting that day as well at a new job, horrible timing. The next month, it was back to normal. Now I get one occasionally but definitely not monthly and it is always somewhat light. So I would say perhaps this is not forever and you may find it will change again soon (hopefully for the better). I remember being super stressed after the heavy one about it being my new normal and then it wasn’t, it was a one time deal. Hope you feel better soon!
Grechen, I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well. I’m turning 40 in a few weeks and saw my OB/GYN in May. I have my first mammogram scheduled for the day after my birthday, too. I haven’t used hormonal birth control since having my children (the youngest is almost 8), since I have a clotting disorder. My husband and I use condoms for prevention, and it’s never been an issue.
My periods are 5-6 days, usually with one pretty heavy day, and I’ve always worn pads, either washable or disposable. I’ve tried the Diva Cup and found it uncomfortable and messy, but I think I could have used the smaller size, despite having had children. As I’m approaching 40, I definitely notice cramping again (like when I was a teenager), and around ovulation, I feel really queasy for a few days. My doctor said it might get worse before it gets better, but she said that she has lots of patients in their 50s and 60s who are really happy and carefree. So there’s that to look forward to. Hang in there, and thank you for talking about this. I think it’s so important and, as women, we don’t hear a lot about menopause.
Another fan of menstrual cups here! I use the Lunette brand which works for me. I’ve been fascinated to learn more about my periods eg flow amount with a menstrual cup. I also record my period dates in a period diary app. Charting most things makes me happy!
I’m in peri-menopause and have found the book The Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden to be really helpful. She talks about different stages of our periods and problem solves different situations eg contraception, supplements. A really interesting read.
Also meant to say I love that skirt! It’s inspired me to get one for our coming summer and I’m such a pant wearer : )
yay!! i really love it, so comfortable and breezy 🙂
i wish i was better at charting things/writing things down. it would make things so much easier haha!!
thanks for the book recommendation. i did buy “is it me or my hormones” lately to try and understand more about hormones. not through it very far yet, but it’s amazing how much hormonal fluctuations affect everything…
ha! yes, i’m looking forward to feeling happy & carefree 🙂
i feel queasy too! there’s one or two days that i’m sort of nauseous and don’t want to eat anything, then a day where i have to EAT ALL THE FOOD.
I keep track of periods in an app as well!
thank you! yes, my doctor said it would take a while for things to “normalize” – whatever that means.
overall, it’s not that bad…just different. something else to get used to LOL
thank you!! i am definitely going to try a cup. i just can’t stand the idea of tampons and pads anymore…the waste….etc….
yes to the dryness too!!! ugh.
honestly the migraines aren’t as bad as they sound – i can usually just manage without having to take anything. same with the cramps. they’re just an annoyance really. a couple of things that keep me from feeling as good as i usually do.
yes, that is an option for us, we are just waiting for a “good time” haha. after summer when things calm down or whatever.
definitely going to try the menstrual cup. so thankful for all the input here!
Menopausal for 5 years and use estrogen cream for the dryness. Works well!
I’ve used menstrual cups for almost 15 years and, honestly, they changed my life when I made the switch from tampons. I use a disposable brand called Instead, which has now been discontinued (but you can still find them online). I love this brand because they’re very comfortable, and you can wear them *during* intercourse. When I learned these particular cups had been discontinued, I was so depressed–it was right after the election–that my husband bought me 10 years’ worth from some online warehouse. It was the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.
I wonder if “yoni steaming” wouldn’t help with your cycle. I have fibroids and have been steaming for about 6 months now. The steaming has almost eliminated my cramping and has just made my period more manageable overall.
Hi Gretchen,
I strongly recommend against using Daysy for contraception. The company has unfortunately used misleading science and advertising to market the device. I published a peer-reviewed commentary on my concerns in the journal Reproductive Health (https://reproductive-health-journal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12978-018-0560-1) – it’s free to read if you are interested.
People should be able to rely on robust science when making decisions as important as which contraceptive method to choose. There are many other options to choose from! I hope you find a method that fits your needs.
All the best,
Chelsea Polis