Symptoms v. No Symptoms

As I mentioned in previous posts, I was able to monitor or track my menstrual cycle by using a menstrual cycle calendar. We were checking to see if the uterine fibroids I had were staying the same in size or growing and if enlarging, whether they were causing any symptoms. My doctor told me that some women who have uterine fibroids do not have symptoms at all and no problems at all. These women essentially live normal lives with the fibroids. So the big question for my doctor and I was: am I one of those lucky women?

From the menstrual cycle calendar, I was able to see that initially my menstrual cycle was as it always was. It came when it normally came. The bleeding was pretty much the same. The cramping, moodiness, tenderness and bloating were the same. So I thought that was good. Everything is regular. After six months of using the calendar and noticing no big changes, we stopped using the menstrual cycle calendar. I thought I was one of those lucky women.

Indeed, though I was diagnosed as having uterine fibroids some eight months or so previously, my medical condition had not started to change. Unfortunately I did not remain asymptomatic. In my next post, I'll tell you more about the symptoms I started noticing.

Thedy B

The Menstrual Cycle Calendar - How long?

The menstrual cycle calendar made me curious to see the patterns in my menstrual cycle. Would the fact that I had uterine fibroids affect my cycle? If so, how?

My GYN told me to track my menstrual cycle using the menstrual cycle calendar for six months so that we could see these patterns, notice any irregularities, and determine if I had irregularities, what they were? Was my cycle heavier? Was it longer? Did the distance between the cycles get shorter or longer? When did I first notice the irregularities? How long has the irregularities been going on?

The answers to those questions would reveal the signs and symptoms that the uterine fibroids were increasing in size. So I used the menstrual cycle for six months to help me and my GYN discover whether the uterine fibroids I had would continue being asymptomatic. I'm really glad that I could track my cycle and give specific information to my doctors. So yes, I do recommend getting a menstrual cycle calendar.

The Menstrual Cycle Calendar - Help or Hurt?!

Using the menstrual cycle calendar definitely helped. I like using the menstrual cycle calendar because I was able to predict when my periods would begin. I was able to predict when they would end. I could tell when my pre-menstrual symptoms would begin as well like moodiness, for example. So I like the predictability factor.

I was also able to determine the extent of my bleeding. Yes, I liked tracking it, for some odd reason. I think knowing satisfied my curiosity, calmed my anxiety from not knowing, and made me feel somewhat on top of my physical health.

I also like the fact that the menstrual cycle calendar helps you determine exactly when and if your symptoms have started to change. Don't you hate it when you go to the doctor and they ask you, has anything changed since your last visit and you can't really remember? Suppose you say "yes, some things have changed," then the nurse or doctor will likely ask, "well when did you first notice the change in your symptoms?" Typically, the honest answer is, "I don't know!!!!!" What I want to say is, well, it wasn't like I was blogging or journaling at the time and said, hey, new symptom! Let me mark this date down in my calendar as the day my menstrual cycle decided it wanted to act up! LOL! It always acts up! (:-)" With the menstrual cycle calendar, I could instead show my doctor, this is the day(s) that I noticed the change. I could also show her how long I had noticed the problem.

So in my opinion, the menstrual cycle calendar helps and I'd recommend at least looking into one if you think you might be having cycle problems. So I'm glad my GYN recommended it. Use your doctor's advice on whether using one will help you or not. I'm not a doctor (:-) but I certainly know it helped me answer all the questions that I needed to answer about my menstrual cycle. Plus, I saw no disadvantages to using a calendar.

Thedy B