Genesia said:

ZombieKitten said:

My periods didn't settle back into a proper rhythm again until Max was 18 months. I was getting very painful mittelschmerz (ovulation pain) and feeling very down at around that time of the month. But by the time he was 2 or 3, things have gone back to a predictable pattern. Much heavier bleeding (than I ever had before I had kids) for 2 days, then 3-4 very light bleeding after, and all in all relatively painfree.

Post partum, (the time after giving birth) is still a period of adjustment for your body physically, especially hormonally.

Keep an eye on any potential PPD symptoms as well though, don't rule it out, the sufferer can often be the last one to recognise it. As far as depression fixes for the time being probably, look into natural alternatives - I'm sure UKs dark winters are not helping you at all.

Which reminds me - a Vitamin D3 supplement might not be amiss, either. It won't help with the periods, but it definitely helps with mood, weight and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Your vitamin D level should be between 30 and 100 - and closer to the high end, if possible. A couple years ago, my doctor tested me and mine was 17. No wonder I felt like crap!

I've supplemented ever since (even in summer, since I work full time and don't get enough time outside to make my own D). Even so, when I was tested a month ago, my reading was only 36 - barely a passing grade. So my new doctor wants me on 10,000 IU of D3 daily for a month (again, ), 5000/day for another month after that, then 2000/day to maintain.

And this is not a problem that affects only women. Sweetie's been seriously vitamin D-deficient, too. (Double whammy of being a black person living in an "indoor" climate and no longer having an ileum due to Crohn's disease.)

The dr said that she was checking my vitamin levels as well. Not sure which ones they tested.

I do try to remember to take Vit D3 1000 iu from fish liver oils.

I started on the D3 last winter.

Shanti0608 said:

Genesia said:

Which reminds me - a Vitamin D3 supplement might not be amiss, either. It won't help with the periods, but it definitely helps with mood, weight and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Your vitamin D level should be between 30 and 100 - and closer to the high end, if possible. A couple years ago, my doctor tested me and mine was 17. No wonder I felt like crap!

I've supplemented ever since (even in summer, since I work full time and don't get enough time outside to make my own D). Even so, when I was tested a month ago, my reading was only 36 - barely a passing grade. So my new doctor wants me on 10,000 IU of D3 daily for a month (again, ), 5000/day for another month after that, then 2000/day to maintain.

And this is not a problem that affects only women. Sweetie's been seriously vitamin D-deficient, too. (Double whammy of being a black person living in an "indoor" climate and no longer having an ileum due to Crohn's disease.)

The dr said that she was checking my vitamin levels as well. Not sure which ones they tested.

I do try to remember to take Vit D3 1000 iu from fish liver oils.

I started on the D3 last winter.

I'm out in the sun twice a day every day of the year for 10 mins each time, but apparently that may not even be enough, since your limbs should be uncovered, and that's not really practical for 3/4 of the year

ZombieKitten said:

Shanti0608 said:

The dr said that she was checking my vitamin levels as well. Not sure which ones they tested.

I do try to remember to take Vit D3 1000 iu from fish liver oils.

I started on the D3 last winter.

I'm out in the sun twice a day every day of the year for 10 mins each time, but apparently that may not even be enough, since your limbs should be uncovered, and that's not really practical for 3/4 of the year

Uncovered and unsunscreened.

Also, if you're above a certain latitude (can't remember exactly what it is), the sun's rays are at an optimal angle for only a small part of the year - and only between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Genesia said:

ZombieKitten said:

I'm out in the sun twice a day every day of the year for 10 mins each time, but apparently that may not even be enough, since your limbs should be uncovered, and that's not really practical for 3/4 of the year

Uncovered and unsunscreened.

Also, if you're above a certain latitude (can't remember exactly what it is), the sun's rays are at an optimal angle for only a small part of the year - and only between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

which I am, since it's outside the danger zones