How do other people cope with short period cycles?

[Bitemebaby]

I’ve always had short cycles between periods about 21 days. So I basically have 7/8 days of bleeding then 2 weeks and then the next one starts. I feel like I barely get anytime in between them and even though it has gotten me down over the years, recently it’s getting me down more than usual. They are also heavy and I think that’s down to fibroids (multiple were noted in my last pregnancy)
I spend all of those 2 weeks dreading the next period starting and I know it’s ridiculous because there are much bigger things to worry about in the world but I can’t help how miserable it makes me feel. I could cope if I was getting closer to 3 weeks from one to the next.
I’ve been on nearly every type of the pill over the years and I start bleeding on the third week of taking the pills so that’s no help.
Sorry for the rambling! My questions are how can I learn to accept this is the normal for me and is anybody else in the same boat and has found any contraception that actually helps? Thank you for any advice.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

No do not accept that this is the normal for you!. If you're bleeding like this every two weeks you could well end up becoming anaemic if you are not already.

Would go to the GP asap and insist to this person that you are referred to a gynaecologist particularly in the event you have not seen this person to date. You need specialist input now with relation to the fibroids previously seen; this is outside a GPs general remit.

[lljkk]

I had short cycles but always been a light bleeder. 7-8 days is quite unusual. I thought that there were hormonal treatments that would regularise things.

Oh, one thing that made my cycles longer was takng vit. B6 (for unrelated condition). It's a known side effect.

[idlevice]

I've never had cycles longer than 24days. You could try the herb Agnus Castus which is a hormone balancer often recommended for period problems. It should be taken for at least 3 months to notice any difference & not with any other hormones like the pill. When I took it, it extended my cycle 2-3 days & lessened PMT.

[NeurotrashWarrior]

I used to have short cycles but no associated issues and they were light. After children it took a while to come back but then they were awful!

As pp say, b6 and AC can help, esp If you can identify if it's a short luteal phase as this can be a low progesterone issue. Apparently also taking vit c (could also take one with zinc) has an impact, there's been good research on that; i think it's really helping me at the mo as mine are returned after number 2. Magnesium and calcium are also sometimes mentioned.

It could take 3 months if taking to have a proper impact, if not perhaps do see Gp.

[ellerman]

Have you considered that you may be hypothyroid - it is associate with short cycles, but some GPs don't consider this. E

[NeurotrashWarrior]

Actually yes I have hypothyroidism. But gps would be unlikely to know about that link. They tend to think it causes heavy periods. Mine were barely existent when I was diagnosed but always 24 days.

[sandyfoot]

I have a very similar menstrual pattern to you and it's grim. I'm 22 days and really heavy. 44 now so hoping I'm nearly free... no suggestions, sorry, but sympathy. I have used norethisterone occasionally because period always there at the wrong time when you have a pattern like us.