Updated: June 10, 2021
Originally Published: May 1, 2016
Let’s be clear: I aimed to present a composed and rational account of the ways Aunt Flo can wreak havoc on those who least deserve such torment. I wanted to take the high road, to be mature and grown-up about it.
But I can’t. I simply can’t.
Because Aunt Flo is nothing short of a nightmare who can take a hike. You know I’m right.
It’s not just the monthly flood of blood or the gut-wrenching cramps that feel like a cruel joke. It’s not about the emotional rollercoaster she puts you through—one minute you’re furious, the next you’re crying over a commercial. It’s not even about the blemishes that sprout on your skin or how your body resembles a deflated balloon.
No, it’s so much worse than that.
She’s a nightmare because she signals the demise of a cherished aspiration—the aspiration for another child. That dream of expanding your family, of providing your partner with another little one to nurture, of giving your child a sibling to laugh and grow with.
What Aunt Flo fails to recognize is that when she didn’t show up a few months ago, you felt a spark of hope. You dared to dream. After stopping your birth control and realizing you were ovulating, you thought, maybe it’s possible again. Your first pregnancy had come so easily that you wondered if fortune might smile upon you once more.
But then, you found yourself with no Aunt Flo and a positive pregnancy test. Hope blossomed, only to wither away a week later when you experienced bleeding—not Aunt Flo, but the slow fading of your dreams. A compassionate nurse reassured you that when the time was right, you could try again, but first, your body needed a chance to reset.
That was four months ago.
In those long months of attempting to conceive, your body has turned into a deceptive trickster. You meticulously monitor your basal body temperature, noting every detail. You hold your breath, counting the agonizing weeks after ovulation before allowing yourself to hope. You wonder incessantly when you can take a test. Is it too soon? You scour the internet for “when to take a pregnancy test” and “how soon can pregnancy be detected after ovulation.” You immerse yourself in forums filled with stories of women whose experiences give you a glimmer of hope.
Suddenly, every signal from your body screams “early pregnancy symptoms.” That brief wave of nausea? Must be morning sickness, you convince yourself. Picking up an unusual odor from across the room? Clearly, your senses are heightening with those first hormonal surges. Tender breasts that feel fuller? Surely, that means a baby is on the way.
You keep your silence. You don’t share your hope with anyone, not even your partner, until you have solid proof. You wait for Aunt Flo to be several days late, and then you take a test, heart racing…
Negative. What?!
Back to the forums you go, frantically searching “late period still pregnant” or “negative pregnancy test but still pregnant.” You find solace in the accounts of women who received negative tests but ultimately found joy in their pregnancies later on.
Hope flickers once more.
But then Aunt Flo makes her unwelcome entrance. You recall those forum discussions—could it be implantation bleeding?
Nope. A subsequent negative test confirms your fears.
You curse Aunt Flo. You weep in silence. You scream internally. You don’t share that you mistook PMS symptoms for early pregnancy signs. The realization stings enough without the added embarrassment of admitting it to others.
Yet, despite the humiliation, you push on. A new cycle begins, and you bury the disappointment deep within. Once Aunt Flo has left, you dare to hope again—maybe you’ll see her again next month, or perhaps this time, you won’t.
For anyone going through this journey, remember you’re not alone. Resources like CDC’s pregnancy page can offer valuable guidance. If you’re considering home insemination, explore this post to learn more about the options available, and check out Kinderwens for expert insights.
In summary, Aunt Flo may be a cruel reminder of dashed hopes, but each new cycle presents another opportunity. Keep hope alive and don’t hesitate to reach out for support along the way.