Period came way early and was weird- insight? Update post 4

[pianojazzgirl]

Usually my cycles are quite long - around 33-35 days. However, my last period started just 21 days after the start of my previous period. I have never had anywhere near such a short cycle (the shortest ever might be more like 27-28 days) This period was long too - it lasted 9 days (though the last 4 or 5 were just spotting). And I've always had periods that started with a bit of spotting, then the next day (or later that same day) I would start bleeding more heavily and cramping. This time around there was no warning spotting - I just all of a sudden started bleeding with a medium flow.

The previous AF was strange too. I had worse cramping than usual (had to spend half a day in bed), and then it was really short (only 3 days - 2 days of heavy bleeding, one day of spotting).

To put it in perspective, normally my period will last for approx 6 days, maybe 7 (with half a day or so of spotting, 3 days of heavier bleeding, then a few days of light bleeding/spotting).

Also, I have had no reason to believe that I was pg at any point since last fall (though birth control - we use condoms - can fail, of course). And as I mentioned I was pg last fall, but had a miscarriage at 9 wks pg, in Oct. Not sure if that would impact my cycles now. I guess I've had 4 (?) periods since then.

Any insight into what might be going on? Is this worth mentioning to my dr, or is it more of a "wait and see" situation?

[BellinghamCrunchie]

It could be low progesterone. It could be you didn't ovulate for some reason. It could be just temporary.

I went to my naturopath for having two periods less than a week apart, and lasting longer than normal (10 days of bleeding instead of 6). She said that women are allowed one "strange" period a year without worry or intervention.

So I think you should give it another cycle, and see if it straightens out. It doesn't really sound all that concerning, yet.

[Metasequoia]

Mine was weird last cycle too. I get mine every 31 days and it showed up out of the blue on cycle day 28. I've never in my life had a 28 day cycle. I usually have some faint cramps for the first few hours of my period too - and this time I had nothing. It actually sounds like an improvement - a "perfect" 28 day cycle, zero cramps - but it's not regular for me. I lost a loved one though and I think the shock/stress/grief could have altered my cycle. It was nice because I was due to get my period on the day of the service, but it came early.

I think you should see what happens next cycle too. Did you have any extra stress last cycle?

[pianojazzgirl]

Thanks guys! I feel better knowing that you've had similar experiences and it wasn't anything to worry about. I'll just wait and see what this next cycle brings.

Metasequoia - I'm sorry for your loss. To answer your question - yes, I have been particularly stressed recently. I have some unanswered and weird health problems going on (trying to reach a diagnosis), and my anxiety has been going through the roof as I imagine worst-case scenarios. I wouldn't be surprised if that was enough to do a number on my cycle.

[pianojazzgirl]

Update

Well it's been two more cycles since I posted. The first was not too bad: 28 days. Then AF came again today 26 days later. Since I'm more of a 33-35 day kind of gal this is definitely not normal. My dr had already given me a requisition form to get some blood work done - including checking my hormone levels - because I've been having some serious hair-loss. Today was the first day of AF so I went in for the testing. I'll get the results in a week and will update.

Fingers crossed this is something easily remedied (and the hair loss stops!!!).