I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this? My daughter is 12 and she had her first period last September. As is expected, they've been erratic and irregular. The problem is that so are mine. I've missed one and had two extra periods since she started. I always start within a day or two of hers. I've heard that women living together will end up syncing up, but I never expected to go back to this when she started. I guess I just hoped hers would sync up with mine. :) So, my question is, how long did it take your daughter's periods to become regular after they started?
I do have my yearly exam scheduled in April, so I will ask my dr. then. Just wanted to see if this was unusual or completely normal. Thanks.
Diane B.- LOL, it's not IMPORTANT to me that our periods sync up. I could care less. The idea of two of us PMSing and cramping at the same time isn't a "bonding" experience, and quite frankly, I'd really rather we didn't. I have heard (and experienced it, though. Roommates in college.) I was simply wondering if anyone else had their periods thrown into flux when their daughters started their periods.
I've always had very regular periods. My 12 yr old got hers a year ago and we synced up for about 4 months. It was so strange. Then her periods became very irregular. We both have major pms so it's better for everyone's sanity that we are no longer in synch.
it does seem to be a widespread phenomenon. not always, especially in these times of managed menses, but it's interesting, isn't it?
i don't have daughters, but my bestie's daughter is on exactly the opposite schedule. one starts on the full moon reliably, the other on the dark of the moon. which tickles me inordinately.
it'll be interesting to see how this goes on for you!
khairete
S.
You would think that the rookie would sync up with the veteran, not the other way around! I'm sure that did come as a surprise to you! My daughter's periods started erratic and didn't seem to affect mine. Once she was more regular, after about 6 months, they did end up syncing with mine. Now we're about a week off of each other, but very predictably! Such a strange thing, right?!
Everyone is different.
Some people are regular from the start, but usually the first couple are different like after you've got your period back after pregnancy. Usually more like spotting and short.
I agree with Diane below - that everything is a bit erratic with puberty and hormones.
Usually within a year or two is probably the norm - but some kids aren't ever (just like some women have irregular periods).
I grew up in a household with many girls and we were never synced.
My period started 1 day after my 11th birthday.
It took several years for things to settle into a regular routine (which for me was 26 days exactly).
Until then, I could go to bed not suspecting anything and wake up bloody (pajamas, sheets, mattress, etc) - it just came without any warning and not at regular intervals.
My mom would get so annoyed with me dealing with all the blood stains.
By about 14 things were much more regular and I could usually get a tampon in right before the blood started flowing.
Yeah. I thought that women synchronizing periods thing was real too for awhile but they did study it and found it wasn't true.
Thing is - some women have 27 day cycles, others have 24 day cycles (or other variations) and sometimes there will be a convergence but then be out of sync again within a few months.
Be patient - and keep a mattress protector on her bed for awhile - it's just slightly easier that way.
Give her a calendar (or an app) that will help her track her periods - when they start and how long they last - it will help her find what her pattern is once it settles into one.
I didn't have that experience but I was on Depo-Provera when my daughter started having periods.
Her cycles never got regular until she went on birth control pills.
My 13 yr old has had hers for about a year and a half. They are still somewhat irregular. Sometimes they're a week early, sometimes 4-5 days late. We've had a few months that we were synced up and it was not a good thing LOL!
You mentioned that you were 45 last year so it is more likely age that is why your periods are erratic, not your daughter.
I have two daughters that are 11 years apart, neither had periods the same time as I did.
I think you're expecting way too much from a 12 year old's hormones. Her body is just developing - give her time.
Why is it important to you that your periods sync up together? Is this a bonding experience for you? Then find something else! Kids start to rebel in small ways around this time anyway - probably the last thing she wants is to be thinking about your periods, let alone syncing up with you. Try to let that go!
I don't know why your periods are irregular right now. Maybe peri-menopause, maybe the stress of worrying about your daughter's periods, maybe something else. Teach her to track her periods on a calendar, and you do the same. When each of you goes to the doctor, it's good to have a record. But your irregular and "extra" periods are of greater concern, so I'd be sure to mention those to your gyn. If they continue to be wacky for another 2 months, I'd give a call rather than wait for an annual visit.
i cant give you much hope, mine are still eratic at thirty years old. birth control might help regulate them, and bonus, keep you from a suprise problem later.
