Length of AF?

(May be a lil TMI-ish) and I am not sure if this is the right board but...

I am just curious to know how long AF sticks around for most of you when she visits montly. Is it a full week or just a couple of days?

When I first started getting my period, it lasted for 7 days with more heavy flow days. On BCPs, it was much lighter and shorter (makes sense). Now, off BCP, they seem to end rather abruptly after only 2 days of substantial flow followed by no more than 2 days of light spotting. I suppose I could contribute some of this to my age and changing hormones.

Re: Length of AF?

I was on bcp for years and got very use to short/light flow periods. I've been off for about 5 months and now my periods are 5 days - 2 of which are very heavy flow.

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Re: Length of AF?

I have 2 very heavy days followed by 2 lighter days. Done!

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When I came off BCP AF usually only came for 2 days with maybe 1 or 2 days of spotting beforehand.

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This is my first month of BCP. When I was on it, I had my AF for 4 days with only 1 day of heavy flow.

Now I am on day 6 with light spotting. Day 1 & 2 were heavy flow...

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Re: Length of AF?

Prior to BCP AF stuck around for a full 7 days, the first few days were heavy flow, followed by a medium/heavy flow and usually one day of light spotting.

On BCP AF stuck around for 3 days 1 day being a medium flow

Now, (when she decides to come to town) it's again 7 full days, awful cramps for two days with a very heavy flow. It's pretty consistent all 7 days, I usually don't get any spotting.

Re: Length of AF?

Before BCP in my early 20's, AF was definitely longer, like 7 days and heavy. On BCP, it lasted about a total of 4 days and was medium-light throughout, with mild cramping.

Now I stopped BCP in Feb and I'm 30. My two cycles off have been pretty short, like 4 days total, with the first two days being heavy, then it tapers off entirely by day 5. I was surprised and happy AF continued to be so short.

The thing that is very different from before is now I get excrutiatingly painful cramps right before AF starts. I mean, like lying on the floor in the fetal position, shaking & nauseated kind of thing. I hope I don't have to go through that again this month

I think what you decribed sounds similiar to my own experience- so I hope it's normal!

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this is my first month off of bcp and it lasted 3 days! weird right? well before bcp yrs ago it lasted 5 to 7 days and while on them it lasted about 4 or 5 so this was weird to only have it very heavy i might add for only 3 days maybe im still getting used to being without the bcp

Re: Length of AF?

Posted by JenandMikey

this is my first month off of bcp and it lasted 3 days! weird right? well before bcp yrs ago it lasted 5 to 7 days and while on them it lasted about 4 or 5 so this was weird to only have it very heavy i might add for only 3 days maybe im still getting used to being without the bcp

Re: Length of AF?

Posted by Chai77

Posted by JenandMikey

this is my first month off of bcp and it lasted 3 days! weird right? well before bcp yrs ago it lasted 5 to 7 days and while on them it lasted about 4 or 5 so this was weird to only have it very heavy i might add for only 3 days maybe im still getting used to being without the bcp

It might just be your body adjusting to being off BCP. I think you can have wacky cycles/random spotting, etc.

btw, I love your wedding dress!!

Re: Length of AF?

6-7 days usually (Not on BCP) It starts off heavy for about 3 days and then is steady to light for the rest.
5-6 days on BCP Heavy the first two days and then pretty light the rest.

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before I was on BCP it was for 4 days and very heavy...then would just end

Now on BCP i get it for 1-2 days and its barely anything..just a little spotting

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For the first 6 years mine used to be so heavy for 5 days, then light for another 4-5 days. Then, I was hospitalized for a while and my period actually changed for the rest of my life. It wasn't as heavy and long. That lasted for the next 10 years, then my periods stopped altogether for a few years. (But I'm pretty sure you know the rest of my story after that.) I think there are many things that can change the flow and length, not just BCP.

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I didnt think BCP would change the length. I actually thought it was more likely to be age and the hormonal changes a woman experiences as she gets older similar to the way that hormones have an effect on hair color and texture.

Message edited 5/19/2007 3:48:41 PM.

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I've been off BCP for over 2 years and AF is 3 days with maybe 1 or 2 days of spotting beforehand.

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When I went off BCP, it took me about 1 year to get AF last more than 3-4 days. After 1 year, I felt my body's pattern change. AF cramping came back FULL force. I really felt I was back on a "natural" schedule.

ETA: After 1 year to 1.5 year, I had periods for 5 days then after 2 years for 6 days. Then after 2.5 years, it went back to 5 days.

Message edited 5/20/2007 7:38:40 AM.

Re: Length of AF?

Pre BCP AF visited for about 4 days. During BCP AF's vacation shortened to 3 days. Had my first period last week since coming off BCP and AF stayed for 5 days, all of which were very heavy flow.

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Mine has stayed the same on and off BCP, the length still Tues-Thurs night. It has however gotten worse with cramps. But I deal with it.

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I don't remember too much how AF was before the pill - 10 years ago, during the pill it was 2 days of flow and 2 days of spotting after the pills I get 1 day heavy flow and spotting for 4 days.