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