“I found out this was fairly common after a frantic call to my mom.”
Women of theBuzzFeed Communitysharedsome of these things, and I am still surprised by some of them.
Here is what they shared:
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
“Women should be prepared to experienceperimenopausein their early 30s.
I went through menopause at 44, and the perimenopause started at 37.
I thought I was going wild.
No doctor mentioned perimenopause because I was so young and had just had a baby.
I went the natural route with no hormones.”
Anonymous
3.
She is now suffering postpartum depression coupled with guilt and shame.
She is currently seeing a therapist."
cmm21271
4.
“I had no idea that you could experience bleeding during pregnancy when you are NOT having a miscarriage.
I was 12 weeks along and suddenly felt a huge gush of blood.
I instantly assumed I was having a miscarriage I was certain that I was losing my baby.
I hadplacenta previa, and while the bleeding slowed down, it persisted for weeks before disappearing.
I was put on pelvic rest and vaginally delivered a beautiful 8 lb boy.
If you have bleeding during pregnancy, DO NOT PANIC!
Just get to your doctor ASAP and follow all their instructions.”
Julia, 35
5.
“Sometimes a hymen doesnt break or can have only a very small opening(s).
I had my period for years with no issue other than I couldnt use tampons they wouldnt go in.
After a visit to the gyno, I was informed I would need ahymenectomyfor my imperforate hymen.
Its rare, but it happens!”
I had a doctor think I’m pregnant and put the stethoscope on my belly."
pullhandlesupnotout
7.
So, when I went back to the first pill, it was a different experience!
b_chem_p
8.
“After I had my first child at age 30, I started developing chest pain and difficulty breathing.
“When I was 23, I developed aBartholin cyst, which I later found out is fairly common.
It’s a cyst that forms on a gland near the vagina opening.
Usually, a course of antibiotics clears it up, and it doesn’t come back.
Unfortunately, mine burst, as did the abscess attached to it.
None of the medical professionals warned me that this could happen or what to expect.
It was horrific.”
Eventually, I had an operation that dealt with the problem.
Unfortunately, there are two identical glands and a year after surgery.
I found another lump on the other gland.
That was almost five years ago.
I’m still being given antibiotics that don’t work and being told that the cyst will go away.
It’s a painless cyst for most people, but I’m not that lucky.
I’m not being listened to by the medical professionals, and it’s honestly exhausting.”
Anonymous, 29
10.
I had really bad cramping, vaginal pain, and a lot more blood."
“Ive had severe menstrual cramps since I first got my period when I was 11.
It would leave me bedridden for three days with excruciating pain.
Im 38, and they still cant diagnose me, and the options theyve given me just suck.
So, for 3 days every month, I am unable to function due to the extreme pain.
Having a baby does not make the pain go away.
My son is 12.”
“I also found out that at 38, I can get eczema and hypertension.
Hypertension was fun to learn about… not (151/101 scared the shit out of me).
I have tried to lower that naturally for two months, but it just wont cooperate.
The doctor says stress can cause it, but Im too old to start job hunting again.
I was jobless for two years and will never go through that again.”
ryrashii
12.
“I had no idea lactation could start during pregnancy.
At seven months pregnant I went to bed dry and woke up in a literal puddle of breast milk.
I found this was fairly common after a frantic call to my mom.”
“My period started very early, elementary school early and before my older sisters started theirs.
I went to the bathroom, and my underwear was full of blood.
Frightened, I told my sister I thought I had cancer.
Fast forward to middle school, when my period was very late.
I told the same sister I thought I was pregnant.
She asked me if that was possible.
I said, of course, that she knew I was having my period for years already.
I had no idea what sex was or how to get pregnant.
I thought babies came out of your belly button.”
bbfischers1
14.
“Apparently, as women become elderly, UTIs may not manifest with traditional symptoms at the outset.
Instead of pain or fever, the firstindicationof an infection can be mental confusion and/or hallucinations.”
“After having breast cancer treated with surgery and radiation, I met with an oncologist every six months.
About 4 years later I asked MD why my breast tissue on the surgical site was turning pink.
I saw it for two years before it was diagnosed.
MD didnt realize it wasadenosarcomagrowing, which was deadlier than the original cancer.
Its a known but very rare side effect of radiation.
Still alive in year two after mastectomy.
yo find an MD who listens and looks up possible answers.”
Kellie D., 68
16.
“I learned that having super heavy periods is not normal and can lead to debilitatinganemia.
I found this out in my 30s after going to my doctor’s in tears.
“In 2020, I was working two jobs and trying to avoid catching Covid.
I was 24 then and had thyroid issues since age 12.
You know what also causes changes in odor: medications, diet, and your cycle.
Saying white discharge is a symptom of BV and a sign of healthy discharge is confusing.
‘Strong odor’ is subjective.”
“Additionally, it’s so easy to develop.
19.And finally, “Postpartum hair loss.
After I had my first baby, my hair just fell out.
It was in almost everything; our vacuum cleaner was working overtime.
