For the Ladies "of a certain age"

[jskater49]

So I get about 4 or 5 periods a year. Although now because of the blizzard, I probably won't compete tomorrow, I was planning to and guess what shows up? And you want to guess when the last time I had a period? In November, when I tested and competed. Is there some sort of Murphy's law that says the fewer you get, the more likely they will come when you are competing?

j

[techskater]

Yes! Actually, even for those of us like clockwork, it seems to happen! :frus:

[dbny]

Yes! Actually, even for those of us like clockwork, it seems to happen! :frus:

Up until I passed that time of life, I got it every time we went camping :x, and of course, my DD's still do. Just love dealing with it when there are limited sanitary facilities. The one really good thing about hitting 60, is NO MORE PERIODS!

[Sk8pdx]

Yup... been there... I think everybody oughtta take a poll in the ladies locker room on competition day and I think you'd find you are not the only one. :frus: :?? Before I even sign up for competition I always take that into consideration. What's worse if it is the first day "auntie" arrives. I have found the "thermacare" heat patches have been my saving grace and lots of ibuprofen too.

~sk8pdx

[teresa]

It does seem like that time arrives early or late for those special or stressful times in my life. I know that when I lived in the dorms all the girls cycled together.

teresa

[jp1andOnly]

hehe..I love the pill for that reason...can adjust the timing a bit..hehe

[jazzpants]

I have been lucky (knock on wood) so far that my period does not change much and the competitions that I go to does not coorespond with "Auntie." Of course, this month, "Auntie" came late to visit this month so that's strange...:roll:

Of course, I will say though that "Auntie" rarely puts a "cramp" in my lifestyle and I have the OTC pain reliever and the ThermaCare for the times when she does. (Good grief, Sk8pdx! We even use the same products to deal with our "Auntie.") :lol: :P

Do you guys also feel very tired and "drained" (literally and figuratively) on the 2nd or 3rd day??? Raise your hands here if you do!!! (*Jazzpants raises her hands up high...*)

[Sessy]

Jskater, back when mom danced competitionally in the soviet union, there was this girl from her dancing school who also competed very high up and she'd get her period *every* contest. This is in a time and place where there were no tampons or sanitary towels... :lol:
So dancers do things in longs skirts fortunately, so she'd stuff cotton down her pants and once, in a competition, the "package" flew out of her pants, inbetween her partner's legs and stopped at the foot of a jury member. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


Also, myself I actually get really, really strung out on adrenaline during my period (or maybe, testosterone, I don't know) - fact is, my athletic abilities improve significantly, although I'm one angry lady during that time!


No-spa (german spasmolytical pills - they dissolve cramps) is a good thing to take during periods, naproxen is a really good painkiller anytime, including during your periods - especially because it doesn't make you bleed much more than usual like ibuprofen does. Sometimes I take codeine-aspirine mixtures.

[Sessy]

hehe..I love the pill for that reason...can adjust the timing a bit..hehe

I tried the pill. Apart from the fact that I stopped because it was making me really ill (my hormones went down the drain, I quit when I got really ill and they tested my hormones like a half a year later and based upon that test, you'd expect me to be a menstruating male, the doctor joked - I had like 400% elevation above the norm for some hormones and like 200% for the others).

Anyway apart from the pill making me ill, it also actually wasn't regulating my period. It didn't matter when I took the pill, my period would just come whenever it was originally due. So normally you menstruate during the week you don't take the bugger right? I'd menstruate like 2 weeks after the no-pil week. And also because my natural period is around 35 days instead of 28, it'd actually shift every time, exactly as it normally would - as if I weren't on the pill at all.

But the pill totally messed with my auto-immune system and also, I know a few people who are like world champions and competing at that level for the 24-hour-run and 48-hour-run (the idea is to run as much distance as you can during that period of time - but you're allowed to sit down and rest or even sleep during that time) and they say that when they tried the pill, their athletic abilities went totally down the drain. Personally that's the idea I was getting when I had the pill too.


I'm really going to advise against taking the pill for the purpose of regulating your periods. Really. Don't. Your body is much more valuable than that!

As for birth control: first of all, it doesn't protect against diseases. Second of all, it's just as effective as peeing every day on a strip and then not having sex in the period it tells you not to have sex in - although admittedly the pill is much cheaper than the strips.

[cathrl]

As with all drugs, the pill works better for some people than others - and there are lots of different sorts, some work best for one, some for another. I was on it for several years, never had a problem, never noticed a decrease in fitness, got myself out of several "don't much fancy that" scenarios by pushing my periods around a bit. It was great. I'm pretty sure you're wrong about abstinence being as effective, too. (Unless you mean TOTAL abstinence, of course :lol: )

Sessy - I hope you're not planning on going to the Olympics - codeine is a banned drug :D I compete nationally at another sport, and you wouldn't believe the forms I had to fill in to be allowed to do our national championships a few weeks after I'd had my second child and been given coproxamol.

[Sessy]

As with all drugs, the pill works better for some people than others - and there are lots of different sorts, some work best for one, some for another. I was on it for several years, never had a problem, never noticed a decrease in fitness, got myself out of several "don't much fancy that" scenarios by pushing my periods around a bit. It was great. I'm pretty sure you're wrong about abstinence being as effective, too. (Unless you mean TOTAL abstinence, of course :lol: )

No, abstinence based on peeing on a strip and that thing measuring your hormone levels. And then when your hormone levels reach a certain point, it knows you're about to ovulate and it tells you that. First you have to pee for a month or two on it just to get the data about how your hormone levels function.
Research proves it's just as effective as the pill - with a faillure rate just below 1% per year with the pill being just above 1% per year - and about seven times more effective than just using rubbers.


Sessy - I hope you're not planning on going to the Olympics - codeine is a banned drug :D I compete nationally at another sport, and you wouldn't believe the forms I had to fill in to be allowed to do our national championships a few weeks after I'd had my second child and been given coproxamol.

I'll top that: codeine is an opiate. I'm not sure if it really is banned here in the Netherlands, since it's available without receipy in any grocery store here... But I'm certainly not going to the nationals for the next couple of years (we don't have adult nationals so I'd need a double axel minimum to go there) so I'm not worried.

Mom, when she competed in ballroom dance, once got busted on CAFFEINE! Apparently even that is banned in certain amounts. Had to pay like 200 euro in fines and got disqualified out of that particular competition.

[jskater49]

I was on the pill for a few years because in my old age they have gotten very heavy and uncomfortable but I thought it made me gain weight and I don't need any help in that department...plus as they got fewer and far between, I kept hoping "This one will be the last one" But at 49, I understand this can still go on for a few years...:(

j

[Terri C]

Last season, "Auntie" folllowed me to two out of three events I attended and made her appearance known on the first day of events. One competition I attended (Peach Classic '05), I had a monster migraine courtesy of her, but managed to skate a clean program!
I do not take the pill- from what I've read it has been linked to breast cancer and there is a high rate of that in my family.

ETA:
"Auntie" showed up at my lesson/practice this afternoon and took my spins and stamina away from me- I was constantly catching my breath!

[techskater]

Do you guys also feel very tired and "drained" (literally and figuratively) on the 2nd or 3rd day??? Raise your hands here if you do!!! (*Jazzpants raises her hands up high...*)

For me, it's usually a day or two before that I am tired and drained and I usually lose my hardest jump a day or two before. Grr!!
:frus:

[jp1andOnly]

Actully, I dont ovulate on a schedule, so the pill actually helps with that one. If I went by your method I'd probably have a few kids by now.

So basically you are talking about the rhythm method, which is actually NOT as effective as other forms of BC.

Anyhow, back on topic.......

I turn into one crying monkey around that time, so sometimes my coach gets a teary-eyed me standing there when she has asked me to do something. I must drive her bonkers..hehe. I'm glad I havent had to do a competition as I'd probably take my opening pose and burst into tears...hehe


No, abstinence based on peeing on a strip and that thing measuring your hormone levels. And then when your hormone levels reach a certain point, it knows you're about to ovulate and it tells you that. First you have to pee for a month or two on it just to get the data about how your hormone levels function.
Research proves it's just as effective as the pill - with a faillure rate just below 1% per year with the pill being just above 1% per year - and about seven times more effective than just using rubbers.



I'll top that: codeine is an opiate. I'm not sure if it really is banned here in the Netherlands, since it's available without receipy in any grocery store here... But I'm certainly not going to the nationals for the next couple of years (we don't have adult nationals so I'd need a double axel minimum to go there) so I'm not worried.

Mom, when she competed in ballroom dance, once got busted on CAFFEINE! Apparently even that is banned in certain amounts. Had to pay like 200 euro in fines and got disqualified out of that particular competition.

[jazzpants]

Actually, Sessy's using an ovulator indicator kit.... not exactly the rhythm method, since she's relying on a calendar.

[Sessy]

Actually I'm not using anything since my gynecologist doubts I even can get pregnant let alone stay pregnant, and since I only see my boyfriend once every two weeks or so.

But I know people who do succesfully

By the way it's a research by the Heidelberg university (Germany) that was about alternative ways of anticonception. They also found a way that guarantees 0,4% faillure rate, but that was more invasive.
It was publicised on the 22nd of februari here in the Netherlands.

Mind you, I'm talking about *educated* abstinence, based on daily measuring your hormones in your body! Not upon a calender and what your "last" period was like.
You pee over the strip and measure your temperature daily. When you're about to ovulate, your temperature rises and the levels of certain of your hormones rise as well and that's what the thermometre and the test strip indicate.

[Ice Dancer]

I'm on the pill, partly for birth control but mainly for medical reasons. It's good in that I can alter the periods, as has been already said, but I still get cramps and moody! Some months are better than others, although last time "auntie" came on the day of a lesson, can't remember now if it was a group or private one, and I spent the whole practice moaning to my skating friend it hurt!

I haven't found yet it has hindered, although one month I could hardly do up my trousers as I was so bloated!

[Rusty Blades]

Many years ago, at a dinner party, the topic of PMS came up and I said I wasn't bothered by PMS . . . . the look my husband gave me could have CUT STONE! Ok, I didn't think I was effected by it.....

I am old enough now that I don't have to worry about it any more - I am grumpy all the time! (I just wish they would quit fooling with the temperature at the rink! One minute it's freezing cold and a few minutes later it's TOO HOT!)

[jazzpants]

Mind you, I'm talking about *educated* abstinence, based on daily measuring your hormones in your body! Not upon a calender and what your "last" period was like.
You pee over the strip and measure your temperature daily. When you're about to ovulate, your temperature rises and the levels of certain of your hormones rise as well and that's what the thermometre and the test strip indicate.Sessy (and those using the "Fam" method) -- you'll LOVE this website (http://www.fertilityfriend.com)!!! (It's a nice little website where you can chart your temp and other things. A friend of mine is using this. And don't worry! Your chart is password protected. ;) )

[Mrs Redboots]

I was on the pill for a few years because in my old age they have gotten very heavy and uncomfortable but I thought it made me gain weight and I don't need any help in that department...plus as they got fewer and far between, I kept hoping "This one will be the last one" But at 49, I understand this can still go on for a few years...:(

jI was lucky and got through all that before I was 50 - but yes, I went through the "was that one the last ever?" syndrome for about two years! Grrrr, it was the pits. And then all of a sudden it's two years, and you realise it's OVER, and you can chuck the birth control and give the just-in-case supplies of Tampax to the daughter.... bliss!

Evening primrose oil helps, but takes awhile to kick in, as does a herb called dong quai.

But you know you've made it as an older skater when you find yourself, at competitions, standing outside with another skater, fanning yourself to get over a hot flush! Definitely a rite of passage (and when do the hot flushes stop, I'd like to know?)

[jskater49]

(and when do the hot flushes stop, I'd like to know?)

Ooh, I hate to tell you my sister has suffered from them for years. She went on hormones for awhile before they decided there not good, and that helped, but when the doctor took her off, they came back. Then they stabilized and but she must have still had some hormones because last year at 63 she had a hysterectemy and the hot flashes came back! :(

Me, I have had no symptoms other than infrequent periods. But I suppose there is still time:??

Mine are so heavy I was afraid one tampon was not going to get me through the 45 minutes between the time I put my dress on and the time I finished skating - fortunately it was only the two of us skating because there was a tiny bit of leakage on my tights when I was done! (hopefully anyone grossed out by this subject has been warned and stopped reading by now)

j

[Rusty Blades]

But you know you've made it as an older skater when you find yourself, at competitions, standing outside with another skater, fanning yourself to get over a hot flush!

Or older coaches! The younger folk just wonder what we're laughing about :roll:

[flo]

Story form mom and dad - both in 80's:
My dad was going through hormone treatment for cancer, and this causes hot flashes. My mom heard of some supplement that was suppose to work and went up to the pharmacist at the local drug store and asked for it, saying she heard it would help with hot flashes. He looked at her, with her snow white hair, and had quite the baffled expression on his face. In seeing his look she quickly said "Oh it's not for me, it's for my husband".

[Sessy]

I'm 21 y o and I get *cold* flashes. Out of the nowhere, I freeze even if it's 30-35 degrees centigrade outside (most people's comfort temperature is 18-23 degrees)...

One time everybody in town was eating ice creams and sticking to the fountains wearing as little clothing as decency would allow and I was running around... in my winter boots, with long jeans, wearing a longsleeve shirt and a longsleeve denim jacket on top and I was carrying a heavy bag and I was *not* sweating, and I was *not* hot.

Hot flashes, I WISH! :)