Cycle Stories: Notes from our Regulars on skin flare-ups, endometriosis, quitting HBC and more
The likelihood is that you remember when you first began your cycle. The colour of your underwear, who you were with, that feeling of ‘I’m a grown up now’ mixed with a little fear and nervousness. And perhaps that’s your most vivid cycle-related memory. But as we experience more cycles and the ways in which they change throughout our lives, it’s possible that not every period of cycle-related moment will be one-size-fits-all.
No single experience of your cycle is exactly the same, so there will be stand-out moments and realizations. Unforgettable experiences, whether negative or positive.
The likelihood is that you remember when you first began your cycle. The colour of your underwear, who you were with, that feeling of ‘I’m a grown up now’ mixed with a little fear and nervousness. And perhaps that’s your most vivid cycle-related memory. But as we experience more cycles and the ways in which they change throughout our lives, it’s possible that not every period of cycle-related moment will be one-size-fits-all.
We wanted to explore questions like how your experience shifts when you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis or PMDD? How about if you’ve been suffering from dysmenorrhea (severe menstrual cramps and pain that occur often during your period) or even amenorrhea (missing one or more menstrual periods)?
No single experience of your cycle is exactly the same, so there will be stand-out moments and realizations. Unforgettable experiences, whether negative or positive. So, we asked five of our Hummingway community to let us in on some of their most vivid cycle-related experiences and how it’s shifted their perspective.
The Realization
When did you start to notice changes in your body, like skin break outs?
“I realized my breakouts were connected to my cycle about three months in. Initially I thought it may be stress or food-related, but soon noticed a pattern of breakouts that came like clockwork about 10 days before my period.”
– Hummingway co-founder, Ashley Greene Khoury, on acne hormonal imbalances and flare-outs
“My initial reaction when I first missed my period was that there must be something out of alignment in my body and I will patiently try to figure out what that is. Our endocrine system is more complex than we think and it's important not to stress as stress can also throw our cycle further out of whack.”
– Vanessa Fitzgerald on amenorrhea. Read more about amenorrhea on The Regular very soon. Sign up to our newsletter for more information.
"PMS - but it always takes a day or two of back pain to realize PMS has arrived. And it took the first half of my period life to figure that out and track it."
– Bronwen Peach on realizing how her menstrual cycle personally plays out in her body.
The Experience
What can someone expect if they are going to make the decision to come off Hormonal Birth Control (HBC)?
“When I stopped birth control after 10 years, I found myself experiencing acne for the first time in my life. I also lost my period, which was a shock since my periods had always been regular before starting the pill. I wish I’d know that I could develop acne after stopping. And that I’d prepped my body so that my transition off was easier.”
– Hummingway medical advisor, Dr. Brighten on coming off hormonal birth control (HBC)
The Diagnosis
When were you first diagnosed with endometriosis - if so - and how was that process?
“It has been difficult to officially diagnose endometriosis on my journey. I’ve dealt with painful periods since I was a teenager and put on different kinds of birth control to help. I was told it was “normal” to have painful periods and was led to believe that birth control was the only fix. It wasn’t until I was in my late 20s that I had a doctor say, “you might have endometriosis,” based on my history. I decided then to go off the pill to really figure out what was going on with my body.”
– Andrea Grace on her experience of endometriosis.
The Pain
What was your understanding of why you were experiencing acute pain? Did you realise it was cycle-related?
“The biggest thing I learned with endometriosis is that painful periods are NOT normal. If you have painful periods, invest the time in figuring out why. It’s not only important for physical health, but mental as well. It’s empowering to learn about your own body and take control in understanding what’s happening to you.”
– Andrea
Read more about Prostaglandins and how they can affect how we feel pain in our bodies, here.
When you discovered your pain was cycle-related, how did that help you manage it?
I only realized my pain was cycle related because of talks with my mom. We tried everything to help the pain. Marijuana, prescription pain meds, over the counter pain meds, heating pads, etc. eventually ending up with birth control. That seemed to help me the best. Now I turn to CBD balms and heating pads.
– Julia Anderson
The Relief
What’s been the best thing to help you with your pain so far?
“Before Hummingway, Pamprin* was the one thing that seems to do me any favors when this all kicks up, after my one week a month that isn’t being controlled by my cycle.”
*Please note that this is a personal pain relief medication. Hummingway can’t recommend a specific medication. If you’re experiencing – or think you are – acute cycle-related pain, please see your health care provider.
– Bronwen Peach
"It took years to learn my pain was cycle related. Then I started taking Midol - not realizing Midol had caffeine in it. I just assumed periods made you unable to sleep. I would literally stay up all night finally falling asleep around 8am - 12pm. Fun times. The pain has gotten worse as I’ve gotten older. Hot baths are the number one cure-all followed by prescription ibuprofen.
– Rhiannon Ellis
"To manage my hormonal breakouts I’ve implemented a few things into my lifestyle: I’m very aware of bacteria from my hands or phone and avoid touching my face when I can hep it.
I’ve begun cycle syncing my skincare with particular caution during ovulation where I use an enzyme treatment to help clear my pores of buildup. During my luteal phase, where progesterone rises causing skin to swell and pores to tighten, I typically see excess oil appear. I favor products that control oil and are calming antioxidant and anti-inflammatory treatments.
I keep a low sugar diet and I regularly take supplements/vitamins with antioxidants and that tend to be anti-inflammatory. I love Zinc, vitamins C,D and E."
– Co-founder Ashley Greene
Show of hands if these sound familiar? Or maybe what you’re experiencing isn’t talked about enough and you’d like to tell us your perspective. It’s why we’re sharing your #CycleStories each month and hosting IG Live chats with everyday people, talking about their unique experiences with their bodies and cycles.
We’re here on The Regular to help you better understand your body and your reproductive health.
Your hormones can be complex and unpredictable. That’s why we’re here, on The Regular, to do what’s long overdue - to demystify what’s going on with our reproductive systems, our hormones and our whole cycle.
We’re here to support your day-to-day queries serving useful content that is uncomplicated and unbiased. No topic is too complicated or too specific for us to address/focus on.
