Saturday, December 29, 2007

Seriously, what is the point?

So I, as well as most all other women, understand the purpose of getting AF. It of course is the shedding of the endometrial lining when an egg is not implanted, and thus begins the process of preparing our bodies for the illustrious potential pregnancy of the next cycle (sickeningly ironic isn't it?). I even understand the purpose of cramps...it helps expel the tissue. However, what I don't understand is what is the purpose of all the bloating, irritability, gasiness, hot flashes, insert your random AF discomfort here, etc, etc. Seriously.....isn't the bleeding enough?! Which btw although I am happy to start my new cycle, AF is not being kind.... I hate feeling absolutely like crap while on AF, and while it doesn't happen every time it is happening this time around and that's all I really care about at the moment.

Oh, and don't confuse my question of why it happen with how it happens. I understand the whole hormonal mechanism behind such various monthly symptoms....but even that doesn't explain the purpose of having to deal with the extras. I do believe it is an unanswerable question. So, in lieu of this....what is your crappiest AF extra?

5 comments:

K @ ourboxofrain said...

When I didn't want to get pregnant, I thought the 'extras' were nature's punishment for my not having gotten knocked up, as the natural order of things seemed to want to have happen (and every sex ed class seemed *sure* would happen were the proper precautions not taken). Now that I want to be pregnant and am not but still get the extras, I think nature is just a cruel b*tch, because, hey, it's not for lack of trying.

My crappiest extra is that for 12 or so hours about 36 hours before AF arrives I find myself overwhelmed with feelings of inadequacy, paranoia, and anxiety, to a degree I do not feel ever at any other time of the month. As much as I hate it, at least it serves as a warning sign, some kind of shot across the proverbial bow.

jenn said...

Mine is a toss up between the super sore boobs about 3-5 days prior, the crazy cranky-psycho-weepy mood swings the day before, and the debilitating cramps the night of.

I too understand the hows- heck I am happy to have the sore boobs because I worry about low-p levels because of my temps some months, but I certainly don't understand the why's. some sort of cosmic test (joke) to see if we can handle the uberhormones pregnancy seems to bring? Just thinking out loud...

HereWeGoAJen said...

I just get cramps. Terrible, paralyzing cramps. In high school, I was once excused from a Spanish exam without even asking because I looked so sick from the cramps I was having. I also bleed for around nine days. But I usually don't get any of the extras, which I guess is nice.

nancy said...

Front leg cramps. The very tops of my thighs will cramp and burn down to my knees. Please tell me how THAT helps the lining loosen up?

KatieM said...

Nancy, I used to get those too...crazy isn't it? I actually had a lady on L and D once who didn't realize she was in labor because she felt her contractions in her legs.