More specifically, my girlfriend alleges that her menstrual cycle has changed since she began working with all women, and further claims that all women who spend a significant amount of time together will end up having their menstrual cyclces at the same time.  Can anyone provide medical information to substantiate this claim?
133128
Synchronous menstruation was first described in 1971 by researchers McClintock and Stern. It is a proven occurrence, borne out by additional studies.\n\nThough they are still unclear as to exactly why it occurs, the most widely accepted theory is that it is due to pheromones. Others think it's due to some evolutionary carry-over from prehistoric times, when it was common for men to take multiple mates to ensure the survival of the species, but the pheremone theory makes more sense... \n\nSource(s):\n\nMcClintock, M. K. (2000). Human pheromones: primers, releasers, signalers or modulators? In K. Wallen and J. Schneider (Eds.), Reproduction in Context: Social and Environmental Influences on Reproductive Physiology and Behavior. MIT Press. Pp. 355-420.\n\nMcClintock, M. K. (1998). Whither menstrual synchrony? Annual Review of Sexual Research, 9, 77-95.
646839
A doctor told me once that orgasm can stimulate ovulation- thus causing a second period in a cycle. It never happened to me, but it could explain all those pregnancies that couldn't possibly happen!
21190
you can't really count on any normalcy for awhile.  There are many factors to a regular cycle.  Stress, weight gain/loss, increase in activity, extreme physical endurance, medication.  I went without a period for 14 months for no explained reason...it's puberty, girlfriend, you're in for the long haul...
578483
Asthma and the Menstrual Cycle \n\nAlthough they don't know exactly how, researchers suspect that reproductive hormones may play a key role in the experience women have with asthma. \n\nA study conducted at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia of 203 women who came to the emergency room with a severe asthma attack found that more women had the attack around the beginning of their period than at other times in the menstrual cycle. \n\nEmil Skobeloff, M.D., clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at the William H. Spivey Research Lab at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, who was the lead researcher on the study, suspects that the occurrence of these severe attacks is somehow related to the declining levels of estrogen at that time in a woman's cycle. This would mean that the days surrounding the start of a woman's period--when estrogen levels are dropping--may be the time when women are most susceptible to severe asthma attacks, he says. \n\nDr. Skobeloff first suspected that reproductive hormones might play a key role when he noticed that women are admitted to hospitals more often than men for serious flare-ups of asthma and, after puberty begins, new cases of asthma are more likely in females than in males the same age. In one study, 75 percent of the hospital admissions for asthma were women and 25 percent were men. This is in stark contrast to hospital admission rates for children with asthma. In the childhood years, 65 percent of admissions are boys and 35 percent are girls. \n\nFrom http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/62/9.cfm\n\nA menstrual rhythm has been documented for exacerbations of asthma, which may have important clinical relevance to the patient with severe asthma. We report the case of a 26-year-old patient with menstruation-associated asthma who showed a dramatic response to oral contraceptives. It was noted that falls in peak respiratory flow rate coincided with ovulation. We concluded that oral contraceptive therapy is useful in this particular group of asthmatic patients. \nPatients with menstrual asthma comprise 30 to 40% of menstruating female asthmatics.1 Although the relationship between progesterone or estradiol levels and airway hyperresponsiveness and between the menstrual cycle and airway hyperresponsiveness have been evaluated, no definite relationship has been described between each set of factors.2 3 4 While aldosterone levels may be related to the exacerbation of asthma, the levels measured in our patient during the follicular and luteal phases were not different, and administration of a diuretic agent (furosemide) was ineffective. Adrenocorticosteroid agents or hormone therapy have been used to treat the exacerbation of menstrual asthma. Oral contraceptives have also been used but were ineffective.2 5 \nEffective therapy using high-dose progesterone has been reported, and the response is thought to involve smooth-muscle relaxation and control of microvascular leakage.5 However, the risk of serious side effects potentially limits the use of high doses of progesterone. Because the exacerbation of symptoms coincided with ovulation in our patient, an oral contraceptive was given despite previous negative results.2 This completely eliminated premenstrual exacerbation of asthma. On the basis of clinical features, blood test results, and response to therapy, we speculate that menstrual asthma was due to a rapid fall in the progesterone level during the late luteal phase. Symptomatic exacerbation was observed soon after ovulation and was eliminated by suppression of ovulation. This observation suggests that improvement of asthma was due to the maintenance of stable levels of sex hormones and the disappearance of cyclic changes in these levels by administration of oral contraceptives. We conclude that symptomatic exacerbation of menstruation-associated asthma may be prevented by suppression of ovulation. Oral contraceptives are useful in this particu
109949
tell her to go to a free clinic and go on the pill.  I have polycystic ovary syndrome....and at any given time would have 6-7 cysts on both ovaries.  They don't nec. cause pain or any problems.  Cysts occur in all women at the time of ovulation...that's how the ovary 'shoots' out the egg into the fallopian tube.  They aren't a big deal...but the pill will help...because you won't ovulate anymore...thus no more cysts forming.  The only reason you would need surgery is if one gets large...but this is rare.
314094
Yes, it can be normal.  It depends on many things.  A womon who does lots of exercise may have periods that are quite far apart, maybe several months.  I know one womone who runs at least 2 miles every day, and she once told us she goes without a period for several months at a time.\nIt is deferent for each womon though, so you should still see a doctor and make sure nothing is wrong.
15951
It's called menstrual synchrony.
578389
Given the information it is really hard to tell.\n\n If the pain is cyclical, and therefore related to your menstrual cycle, some hormonal manipulations can help. Another cause of cyclical pain is fibrocystic disease. The patient can have numerous hormone responsive cysts throughout the breast that hurt (sometimes a lot) during some phases of the menstrual cycle. \n\nConstant unremitting pain which does not relate to the cycle is very unusual and requires a full work-up by a physician very familiar with breast physiology. \n\nSome general surgeons specialize in the evaluation and treatment (medical and surgical) of breast disease. Many OB-GYN doctors are comfortable with the evaluation of these problems. Some plastic surgeon as well have a special interest in breast problems- they also usually have a general surgery background before they went on to do plastic surgery.\n\nHope that helps
341721
I really wouldn't worry to much about it if I were you.  Sometimes that just happens.  You get lucky and have light periods.  \n\nIt could be because you are dieting and have lost a lot of weight, because changes to the body like that can cause more changes with our monthlies.  Don't worry to much and if you are worried go to the doctor and get checked out but I believe it is just a change in the body.
557640
First of all you have to be the biggest jerk to say that about yr gf! Do u understand what we women go thru every month the bloating, fatigue, cramps, breast tenderness? What r we going to celebrate rainbows and puppies during that excruciating time? Hell no bc rainbows only come after cold dreary rain and puppies turn into dogs and can bite ppl so u need to practice compassion bc if i were yr gf i would smack u for that bs u just posted! Stick a tampon in yr anus honey and keep it there!
10612
dear if she is not having tampoons you can tell by the pad or liner. Sometimes they have them on always if the cycles are irregular. If you have been with her for a long period you should be aware of her last period when was it. the next will be around same date 28-30 days cycle. now the extreme senses come in role like dog can tell by smell of the bitch that she is having periods etc . There have been studies that indicate that the body odour is different when the periods are on.\nthe most striking feature during this phase is if your girlfriend is more irritable , bloated, having headaches, cant sit in one position for long she is having it believe it.
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Everybody's body is different.\n\nI went to the doctor's recently regarding period issues (I get mine more often than others) and she said that every lady is different.\n\nShe also said that stress can affect it.
377429
Hi I knowI am not a woman but my wife has had it.  She was dealing with it ever since she first started her period but did nto knwo it and was put on the pill to control it.  When we got married it intensified and got ten times worse, sex was out fo the question, rough honeymoon.  Anyway she did the Lupron and it did the same to her as it seems to have to you, nothing.  She was a wreck and it still was there.  She did surgery and it helped for about 2 months.  HErs was stage 4.  The doc was offereing a hystorectomy but we ha just married and wanted kids but not now.  She found a chiropracter that practiced applied kiniseology.  It was kinda crazy but it worked.  She had her on all these "potions" to support her body and did alot fo work with her more emotional than physical.  Not sure what happened or how it worked but she has been Endo free for 8 yrs, zero pain.  Still struggling with the weight gain but now we can blame it on two wonderful kids.  Find a doc in your area that practices applied kinesiology, usually a chiropractor.  Sounds crazy I know but it worked a miracle for us.  All the pointion and tinctures and emotioanl counseling she did for my wife was on top of the world when it was over.
191723
The medical term for cycles with intervals of 21 days or fewer is polymenorrhea.\n\nThere may not be anything wrong with you. It can take several years for a young woman's periods to settle down to a "normal" pattern, and remember that what is normal for one woman may not be normal for another. \n\nSome other things to consider: \n\nHow are you counting your cycle, by the way? You should count your cycle with day one being the first day of your period. If you are counting your cycle from the end of one period to the beginning of your next, then your cycle may be a few days longer than you realize. Some women's periods last only 2-3 days, while others can go as long as 10 days (typical is 3-7 days), so if yours tend to last several days and if you're not counting those days, then that can also add more days to your cycle. \n\nAre you having any other symptoms? Are your periods heavy or light? Do you have a lot of cramping? These may be clues that something is going on.\n\nIf you go to your doctor, then yes, s/he may offer you birth control pills as a way to help normalize your cycle. \n\nMore info, from http://www.webhealthcentre.com/general/wh_menus.asp#poly -\n\nWhat causes polymenorrhea? Polymenorrhea is caused by: \nFrequent ovulation caused by hyperactivity of the anterior pituitary gland. \nConstitutional disorders such as malnutrition, and psychological disturbances. \nPelvic disorders such as chocolate cysts in the ovaries and chronic pelvic inflammation. \n\nHow is polymenorrhea treated? Polymenorrhea is treated by improving general health, correcting anaemia, treating pelvic causes (if any), and combined oestrogen and progesterone therapy from day 5 to day 25 of the menstrual cycle. If medical treatment does not work, dilatation and curettage (D & C) may be suggested.
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Alot of things can change your cycle. Food, activity, stress, alcohol, age, etc., any differences really can effect to a certain degree. I'd take a few deep breaths and give it a few months to see if it levels out. If your having more pain than usual or more unusual symptoms then see your doctor. Good luck.
17100
I think that if a woman stops ovulating there would be no more menstruation, and estrogen levels change, to me this is part of a biological clock in women which indicates the conceiving period is over and pregnancy at a late age is risky.\nFortunately there are supplements that can be taken for the secondary effects such as hot flashes like black cohosh and flax hull lignans. Lignans are a type of plant chemical that can simulate and help balance human hormones such estrogen.
507788
Unfortunately the body isn't 100% cyclic, but let's see..\n\nJanuary 2\nFebruary 6 (35 days)\nMarch 25 (47 days)\nApril 21 (27 days)\nMay 22 (31 days)\nJune 24 (33 days)\nJuly 25 (31 days)\nAugust 29 (35 days)\nSeptember 28 (30 days)\nNovember 5 (38 days)\n\nSince you just got your period, I'd guess that your hormones are still fluctuating a bit. Your body is just starting to do this, and it looks like you're already stabilizing a little, but do know that it doesn't happen every 28 days to the hour. You can vary, but it will get more regular as you get older.