Monthly visits

My topic for today may only be fitting for a girl like me because I am going to share my experiences with regards to my monthly visits, monthly period, mentration or whatever they want to call it. 

When did you first had your menstration? I cannot exactly remember when I had mine but I know it was summer so I was lucky that I was at home. It wasn't that as heavy as compared to my friend because she had her period when we were at school. We weren't classmates during that time but I overheard her classmate telling her that she has a stain on her uniform. Out of curiosity, I checked it out and she had quite a stain. 

Since I was at home, my mom told me some things to do and not to do during your period and your first time. I don't know if you have heard of it but older generations said to clean your face with your first menstration. Sounds disgusting right? They say that it was to keep your skin clear and pimple free. I am not so sure if I did that but I think I did because I always follow what my mom says. I am so gullible right? LOL. 

The second thing that my mom or her older generations have said was to not take a bath when you have your monthly period as you will go crazy. I guess that explains why I am crazy sometimes. LOL. I don't know if there are any other beliefs or superstitions with regards to menstration, but these are what I can remember. 

So why did I talk about menstration all of  sudden? Well it was because I have purchased a menstrual cup online that is made from silicone. I'll try to make a review about it once I have experienced it. 

What made me buy it? 

I have long wanted to buy a menstrual cup because I wanted to save money from buying sanitary napkins and most especially to save our environment. I have only bought it recently for 2 reasons:

• I still have my sanitary napkins. When my aunt went home from America, I asked her if she can buy me some Always sanitary napkins because when I have tried the one that she brought home, I was amazed because I seldom have leaks and stains. I only found out that there is Always in S&R 2 years ago. So my aunt gave me a lot of sanitary napkins and I am already down to the last pack. One pack consists of around 30-40 pads and I think I still have a dozen. 

• I wanted to measure my flow

But before I tell you all about it, let me share with you a background of my monthly visits. 

When I was in highschool and college, I was irregular. There are months that I don't get my period. I didn't know that I should have consulted an obstetrician gynecologist whenever you missed a period. 

After college, I was able to lose some weight so I became regular although for a year I have observed that there are 3 months that I would miss my period. It can be for consecutive months, alternate or every 2-3 months. It really depends but it has been like that. Again I didn't consult an specialist. 

Then mid 2017, I became irregular again. I cannot remember how many times I had my visit that year but for 2018 I had only 4 then 3 and 2 last year. So 2018, I have already consulted an ob-gyne and she suspected PCOS or Polycystic ovary syndrome because I was gaining weight. But I explained to her that my weight gain was probably due to stress, sedentary lifestyle and I abruptly quit smoking. Just to be sure, she asked me to have an ultrasound.

It was only in 2019 when I had an ultrasound and as it turns out, I don't have PCOS. So next would be testing for thyroid problems especially because 2 of my mom's sisters have thyroid problems. Still results wasn't about my thyroid. So she requires me to do some exercise and to lose weight. I know I have already talked about my weight loss journey but in short, I wasn't able to do what she told me to do. She had also given me a medicine to help regulate my period.

I have to drink the medicine on the first day of the month for 10 days if I didn't had any visit the previous month. So when I took it November 2018, I had my period that same month and the following month.

Come 2020, again I didn't had any visits. She said I can take the medicine again but the problem was it costs Php80 each so thats Php800 for 10 day. It was already alarming but because I didn't have any money nor did I want to ask my parents for me, I just let it pass. Mid 2020 as I have mentioned in some of my articles that I had surgical removal of my appendix and right fallopian tube. There I was able to consult again to an ob-gyne about my irregular periods. I have told her that PCOS and thyroid has already been ruled out. Instead, she gave me a different prescription to help regulate my menstration. I was suppose to drink it after I have healed but I didn't realize that it would take 4 months for my wound to be healed. 

I have only started drinking the medicine this January. It cost twice as the first one because I have to take it 2 times a day. My ob-gyne from when I had my surgery told me to come back to her on the first day of my menstration after taking the medicine. But because of the new COVID variant and my dad's condition, I wouldn't be able to go back to my doctor. 

That is the reason why I wanted to measure how light or heavy my flow is. But my first monthly visit last year was weeks after my operation. I didn't take anything during that time but it was really heavy. I wasn't able to go to my ob-gyne for ultrasound because I still have an open wound. Then my second visit was November. I waited for the whole December for it but it didn't come. 

I know that this is very alarming and I should really take it seriously but I really hope that after taking the medicine and I am also controlling what I eat since late last year, I would have my regular visits as to how it was back then. I really hope that this isn't something serious because from what I have had experienced in the past from gallbladder to appendix to fallopian tube, I think I have already reached my quota for surgeries. Well my surgeon from my last operation said that my organs looked great so that's good news right? I just really have to take care of my health from now on. 

My advice to all other girls who have irregular periods or missed menstruatuon is to consult an obstetrician gynecologists ASAP. If you notice something unusual, go to the doctor right away. If you think you are delayed because you are pregnant, you still need to consult because they know better. I know it may be a little frightening and it may sound a little cliche but prevention is really better than cure.