my menstrual cycle - am I ovulating?

[rainsprite67.livejournal.com]

This month, I'll turn 21 years old. I'm a virgin and I first started getting my period when I was 11.5 years old.

Since the beginning of getting my menstrual cycle, I get my period on average, every 2 1/2 months. The last 3 years or so, I would get my period monthly during the winter season, and for the rest of the year, I would get it every 2 1/2 months. Recently, I went to the doctor and addressed this issue and my doctor thinks it could just be my body's normal cycle. I got a blood test - and everything is normal, no hormone or thyroid issues or anything.

My period, on average, lasts for 4 or 5 days. I think the bleeding is normal.. never too much or anything like that. But never too little either.  I never get cramps. In fact, I can only remember getting a cramp once. And only that one time.

So far, this year, I've gotten my period in - January, February, March, June, September. That's it... it's been almost 3 months since my last period. I'm used to getting my period around, on average, probably 6 or so times per year. For me, my period is pretty much non-existent because I get it so few times during the year, compared to normal women especially. I definitely like it this way - I could never imagine even getting my period 12 times year. In fact, I don't think I've ever even experienced getting my period even 9 times in a year.

I am a bit concerned about why I'm getting my period so few times, especially since it's always been like this.. I thought at first it was hormone issues, but apparently blood tests show I'm fine. So, I'm glad about that.

But what I'm currently concerned about is whether or not I'm ovulating? How would I know? I'm thinking I might possibly be incapable of ever getting pregnant - because, well, it's just a feeling to be honest... but I get my period so few times, it's just that I can't help but wonder this. Up until now, I've always never wanted kids. But, I think it would be nice to know for sure whether I'm actually capable/ ovulating?

Another thing is that I'm getting my first Pap Smear in the beginning of January. I mentioned I'm a virgin. I know it isn't necessary, but it would be still good to get it, right? Also, would anyone know if this would painful or anything? The most I've ever done to myself is insert a couple of fingers. And well, I'm just nervous about the whole thing :/

Comments

[nickelshoe.livejournal.com]

Look into the fertility awareness method of birth control. I know you said you weren't having sex, but it's still really helpful for tracking what's going on with your menstrual cycle. You'll be able to tell if you're ovulating by taking your temperature every morning.

There is no good in having a Pap smear if you've never had genital sex with another person. None.

[rainsprite67.livejournal.com]

My doctor mentioned using birth control as a method to control my menstrual cycle - she thinks that perhaps I'll get it more often. But I'm thinking if I do take it... I'll get it even less.

Do you know if there's an easier way to tell if I'm ovulating? like.. is there some sort of test or something a doctor can perform?

Oh.. :/ I know it's generally recommended to get it when you turn 21, regardless of ever having sexual intercourse or not. I mean, my doctor just suggested it since it's pretty standard to get it at 21, ( I think it used to be 18?). But since it does test for cervical cancer, I would think it is pretty pointless T.T

[nickelshoe.livejournal.com]

You would get more "periods" if you took a combined oral contraceptive, but it would not control your cycle so much as replace it with an artificial bleed schedule. If the doctor is fairly sure there's nothing wrong (like for instance a buildup of the lining inside your uterus), then I don't think you need to take the pill if you don't want to.

I think it's pretty hard for a doctor to tell for sure you're ovulating. It's possible to see it on an ultrasound, but practically impossible to be having an ultrasound at the exact moment the egg is released. I suppose one of those ovulation test kits people use when they're trying to conceive might help.

The reason they recommend at 21 is because they figure you might not be telling the truth when you say you haven't had sex. In some countries the guideline age is even higher. You really don't need the test until a few years after you've started having sex, since it takes awhile for anything to be detectable. And some guidelines recommend that if you start having sex fairly early, you should still wait until 21 or later to get a Pap smear since there are too many false positives in young people, the real positives often correct themselves, and the interventions have complications of their own.

[rainsprite67.livejournal.com]

My period has always been like that since the beginning, and since my blood test doesn't show any hormone problems - then I guess it's pretty safe to say there's nothing wrong. hopefully ~

Ah, I see. Thanks for the info:D

[naked-beauty-21.livejournal.com]

"The reason they recommend at 21 is because they figure you might not be telling the truth when you say you haven't had sex."

Do you have any sources or studies or articles to back that statement up?

[nickelshoe.livejournal.com]

Okay, so maybe I am reading too much into it. I was thinking mostly of old guidelines that focused on how long a person had been sexually active:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pap-smear/MY00090/DSECTION=why-its-done

[atalanta0jess.livejournal.com]

My bestie only gets her period sometimes, and she's been pregnant twice. Both times it took awhile (which makes sense...less periods in her case seems to have meant less ovulation, which means it takes more tries!) but other than that there was no problem.

[madraykin.livejournal.com]

Long cycles like this are totally normal and while it may be more difficult for you to get pregnant within a specific time frame (just because your cycles are so long) you shouldn't have more trouble than most in getting pregnant.
FAM is really easy and very interesting! You can use software online for free at tcoyf.com or fertilityfriend.com and all you have to do is take your temperature every morning when you wake up.
You could also use Ovulation Predictor kits (can get test strips fairly cheaply on amazon) if you want to know if you're ovulating.
Other signs of ovulation include: a full feeling in your bladder (almost like it's sore) for a couple of days, clear discharge from your cervix, cervix moving down and feeling soft (like your lip) and with a noticeable dimple or hole in the middle of it...
You really don't need a Pap Smear and the insertion could be very uncomfortable for you.

[six-dollar-baby.livejournal.com]

*nods* Some women have very noticeable ovulation discharge that can be almost like raw egg white in texture and appearance.

This site has some basic info- though they assume you're on a 28-35 day cycle. http://www.whattoexpect.com/preconception/fertility/five-ways-to-tell-you-are-ovulating.aspx

[rainsprite67.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info you guys!

[naked-beauty-21.livejournal.com]

I'm a (PIV) virgin, and I totally plan on getting a pap soon. I've had oral with two guys who were both virgins, and was molested as a child by a slightly older child. So yeah, really rare for me to have any diseases. But if you feel like you should get a pap, get one. Also, I'm pretty sure pap smears usually include a pelvic exam, where the doctor feels around for your ovaries to make sure they're in good shape. The entire exam might hurt a little, but it won't hurt you in the long run, so why not go for it?

[nickelshoe.livejournal.com]

There's no medical reason to undergo a Pap smear if the OP has never had sex. If the OP wants a pelvic exam, that's no reason to also undergo a Pap...it's a waste of time and resources to collect those cells and send them to a lab. I don't see the logic in doing the test.

[naked-beauty-21.livejournal.com]

No medical reason? What about the fact that 1-5% of cervical cancer cases are NOT caused by HPV?

http://www.nextstepfitness.com/HPV.html - says 95-99% of cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5373687_cervical-cancer-causes-other-hpv.html#ixzz1fyKnhbiy"Cigarette smoking doubles a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, harmful substances from cigarettes can be found in the cervical mucus of women who smoke, and they may cause damage to the cervix"

http://www.womenshealthspecialists.org/health-information/HPV-Pap-Smears - says "almost all" cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV. It does not say ALL cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV.

http://wordoncancer.org/cms/word-site/gynecologic-cancers/cervical-cancer/overview - says HPV is the MAIN cause of cervical cancer, not the ONLY cause.

Another good reason to have a pap, http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/pap/tab/test - says the pap can be used to detect vaginal or uterine infections.

[nickelshoe.livejournal.com]

Okay, so it is true that a small percentage of cervical cancer cases cannot be attributed to HPV. There is a drug called Diethylstilbestrol (DES) that is associated with a risk in the daughter of a woman who took it during pregnancy.

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CervicalCancer/MoreInformation/CervicalCancerPreventionandEarlyDetection/cervical-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-cervical-cancer-risk-factors

I'd also like to point out that something increasing your chances of getting a disease is not the same as causing it. People with HIV are also more likely to develop cervical cancer, not because HIV causes cancer but because it weakens the immune system.

The American Cancer Society actually says that "scientists believe that it is necessary to have had HPV for cervical cancer to develop," although they don't list a source.

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CervicalCancer/MoreInformation/CervicalCancerPreventionandEarlyDetection/cervical-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-cervical-cancer-risk-factors

However, even if the other 1% of cancers were caused by something else, the overwhelming majority of positive results will be false positives in people who haven't been exposed to HPV. See the National Cancer Institute's reasoning on why there's such a thing as over-screening.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/cervical/Patient/page4

Perhaps I overstated it a bit, but the medical benefits are almost certainly outweighed by the risks in this case.

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

According to the World Health Organization and Institut Català d’Oncologia (http://apps.who.int/hpvcentre/statistics/dynamic/ico/country_pdf/GBR.pdf?CFID=278048&CFTOKEN=18959369), "HPV causes virtually 100% of cases of
cervical cancer, and an underestimation of HPV prevalence in cervical cancer is most likely due to the limitations of study methodologies."

[faithful-summer.livejournal.com]

When I was young, my friend had her first pap and told me all this dramatic stuff about how it hurt sooooo bad. I was scared sh*tless to get my first one done. But it's really not that bad. When they put the speculum in and open it is the worst part, and then it's mostly like uncomfortable pressure. I would specifically ask the doctor before they begin to go slow on the insertion. Even not being a virgin, I once had a random doc at Planned Parenthood who just pretty much shoved the thing in there as fast as she could and that was much, much more uncomfortable than every other one I've had where the doctor just took like, I don't know, 10 seconds to slowly insert it.

As for the pap or not thing, I would do what you're comfortable with. If your doctor has a good reason for recommending it, then I'd probably do it. And regardless, a general physical exam down there is probably never a bad idea so they can feel your uterus and such.

[nickelshoe.livejournal.com]

There's no medical reason to undergo a Pap smear if the OP has never had sex. It's not possible for the OP's doctor to have a good medical reason.

[lurkerwisp.livejournal.com]

When I was about 16 years old and still a virgin I had to go in for a pap smear to be able to keep the birth control pills I was put on to control my miserably bad cramps. The insurance company insisted and was going to withold the only medication that had ever worked for me, my doctor thought it would be a good idea to start doing them early since I had a family history of uterine cancer, and I didn't really have a choice in the matter.

It turned out to not be as bad as I had feared. It wasn't a good experience, but it certainly wasn't the worst pain imaginable like I was expecting. The doctor used her smallest speculum and went very slowly. Make sure your doctor is one that you trust, and let him or her know if you're uncomfortable. If you're not comfortable with your regular physician doing the exam, or just want a second professional opinion about having it at all, you can always see a gynecologist instead.

[rainsprite67.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) Yeah, I've had this doctor for years (she was my pediatrician), so I trust her ^^

menstrual cycle

[naughtypeak.livejournal.com]

i just have to tell you that there is nothing wrong with you... i had a friend who was the same as you ...
you should be happy you are not getting your menstruatios as often as everybody
fo more info go to http://naughtypeak.com