A question for the ladies

souldancer · Post by **souldancer** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 10:23 am

So, last year after Burning Man, my period was two weeks late. Again, this year, I was a week and a half late, and I'm usually like clockwork. I was just wondering if this has happened to any other women? I'm thinking that this might be somewhat normal? I always thought I acclimated pretty well out there, but I suppose my body still needs time to get back to normal once returning to a more suitable climate. Anyone else experience this?

PurpleKoosh · Post by **PurpleKoosh** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 10:48 am

I was a week early last year when I got back (more than a little disconcerting for someone on the Pill who's used to a cycle you can set your watch by). This year, I was early again, but only by about 12 hours (I told you it was that regular!) - and fortunately, I'd been home an hour and a half when it hit.

Amberica · Post by **Amberica** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:40 am

I've gone twice now and was not supposed to be on my period, but ended up "spotting" a bit almost all week. So I guess my problem is actually the opposite. But I really do wonder if the playa "does something" weird to our hormones....

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:48 am

I'm convinced the playa does something, if nothing more than stressing us out, and inducing menses. Mine started the day after I got back, about 1.5 wks early.

The CO · Post by **The CO** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 11:43 am

My wife stops every year on the playa, on schedule or not. Her theory is that the enviornment out there (heat, less food, more water) causes her body to conserve everything...

tisha2 · Post by **tisha2** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:37 pm

yep. one week late this year. don't remember specifics from past years, but i do recall my usally very regular cycle going a bit wonky.

when i used to go to summer camp for a week in the summer i would start bleeding whether i was supposed to or not. hmmm.....altitude and forest = bleeding, desert = delayed bleeding.

Petalford · Post by **Petalford** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:22 pm

got mine 1 week prior, then again 1 week after my return...weird...

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:34 pm

I'm irregular for a couple reasons, but I can guess when I'll have one ... during Bman, but only for a day and a half. Strange.

Bad Kitty · Post by **Bad Kitty** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 6:06 pm

I started spotting about a week early, then kept on going through my usual time. I'm VERY regular in general. This is the first year I've had this happen, so I was wondering if it really was playa related.

Sard Rocklifter · Post by **Sard Rocklifter** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 9:25 pm

huh, funny. This year I got my period about 10 days early, on the playa. However, this is the only time this has happened in many years of Burning Man. I can see how stress and environment could affect body systems, surely.

Spirit · Post by **Spirit** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:46 am

Post-playa is same-old, same-old for me. But I was due on the playa, and instead of my usual 5-6 days, i got only 1.5. Kinda freaky. My body just decided on its own that all of the mental and physical stresses (including lack of good nutrition and sleep) were enough, already!

~ Spirit

nitasha · Post by **nitasha** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:46 am

i got mine the second day i was there...two days later another woman in my camp got hers too...this following by a third woman. all of us were either late or early, and i am very regular.

souldancer · Post by **souldancer** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:17 pm

Thank you for the input ladies!

I suspected I wouldn't be the only one!

Alia · Post by **Alia** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:38 pm

Mine decided it really wanted to be me with me at the burn, and came 3 weeks late.

drummer girl · Post by **drummer girl** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 1:29 am

Me too ladies...I started the day we got home a week early and I am very regular. I told my friend who is a long time burner and she said that she has heard many acounts of wacky period stuff because of BM.....That's really nutty! We should do a poll next year just to see how many of us it does effect in this way.

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 8:02 am

If we're to do a poll, the survey would have to be more than a simple "late or early?" question. Age, birth control, regularity through the year, perceived stress levels; there are many factors to think about.

I think stress, and Burning Man is physically stressful even if you are calm and relaxed, is a key factor. What was really weird for me is that my cycle had shifted so I wouldn't be on my period for the event, but two months before I had a long 50 day gap and my cycle reset for the day of the burn.

If it isn't stress, it's a freakin' conspiracy.

joel the ornery · Post by **joel the ornery** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 8:43 am

why am i reading this thread?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:03 am

Sheer stubborn cussedness, your oneriship.

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:03 am

Why not?