Aunt Vadge: is this my period or an injury?

A young Indian woman sits looking concerned at her kitchen table, regarding her recent bleeding after fingering. Was it her period? She can't tell.

Hi Aunt Vadge,

I have PCOS, which means generally my periods are delayed. My last period was on 12th April so I am effectively 20 days late as of today.

But today I was fingered by a guy and I am bleeding.

Does this mean I got my period, or is is it only because of some minor injiury….either case what should I do?

Yours,
Lilly
Age 28, India

____________

Dear Lilly,

It sounds like you’re experiencing some bleeding after being fingered, and given that you’re 20 days late with a PCOS diagnosis, this has concerned you.

With polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), periods can indeed be irregular, but the bleeding could also be due to a minor injury from the fingering.

How to tell if it’s your period

If you’re unsure whether it’s your period or not, keep in mind that menstrual blood typically continues for a few days and will come with other period-like symptoms: cramps, mood swings, food cravings, etc – whereas bleeding from an injury would likely be a one-off event.

If it was the fingering

If it’s a one-off event, it’ll heal, and you should talk to your partner about ways to be more gentle – use lubricant, go slowly, make sure every movement feels good to you and doesn’t feel painful. Fingering shouldn’t be getting jabbed at by a partner, but full of pleasure.

Here’s a guide to fingering – perhaps read it together and practice!

Working on your PCOS and getting more regular periods

If you’re interested, it might be a good time to review your approach to managing PCOS and helping to regulate your periods a little better.

There are ways to handle PCOS symptoms and get your periods more regular, including diet changes and specific supplements that can help regulate your hormones and manage sugar cravings.

PCOS is often linked with insulin resistance, so targeting this through healthy lifestyle changes can be beneficial, and put you in a bit more control as to when your periods arrive. Hopefully next time you’ll know if it’s your period or not!

What to do next

If the bleeding doesn’t stop or you experience discomfort, I’d suggest visiting your GP or gynaecologist to ensure everything is fine and discuss your late period. Meanwhile, make sure that sex play is gentle and use lubricant to smooth the way and help prevent irritation or injury.

For more in-depth support on managing PCOS and its symptoms, you might consider looking into resources like “The PCOS Solution ebook,” which provides specific prescriptions for herbs and supplements, and detailed explanations of the condition.

Always remember to listen to your body and seek professional advice if you’re concerned about anything unusual, including the bleeding you mentioned. Take care!

Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge

References​1​

  1. 1.
    Li X, Yang D, Pan P, et al. The Degree of Menstrual Disturbance Is Associated With the Severity of Insulin Resistance in PCOS. Front Endocrinol. Published online June 13, 2022. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.873726


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