You say your flow is more viscous. Usually when flow reaches this texture it is the thickest and richest part of the uterine lining shedding. Perhaps you are experiencing overgrowth of the endometrium as well as cramping due to low progesterone in relation to estrogen.

Are you perimenopausal? Do you have other symptoms of estrogen dominance?

Totally had this for two cycles and since I don't have insurance I couldn't get checked. But it went away and now my periods are hella easy in every way. I knew to wait the two cycles for hormone regulation based on some threads I found here. So about six cycles later and its still a breeze. But go to the doc if you keep bleeding and cramping for a few more days. Are you on bc? And how old are you? My periods changed after 33. And I'm not on the pill.

I am experiencing the same thing right now, except this is my 4th period since going paleo. The first one was horrendous (super heavy, super PMS/DMS) then the next two were very light and symptom-free.

This one currently, 3 days of what you're experiencing, regular flow today, but still crampy.

Have you dropped a lot of weight? Changes in periods can come from hormonal changes, which can be brought on by weight loss. I figured for me it was this, as well as my hormones adjusting (going back to normal?) due to diet/nutrition.

I'm wondering if it could be one of those detox effects that lots of people go through in different ways when going off an unhealthy diet. It's not uncommon to feel worse instead of better at first. Typical things are skin break outs and headaches. I wouldn't be surprised if cramps could also be one of those. For me, cramping for three days and irregular periods was the norm.

My first period after starting paleo was crampy and unusually light. I am back to normal now it's been a few months!

My periods seem to be lighter and my cycle longer since going paleo. I have cramps every month, for 3-4 days. The doctor said, some women have them, some women don't. Give your body time to adjust for a couple of months. If you are still uneasy, go get checked out.

My guess is that it is part of the transition symptoms that happen when you switch to a lower carb diet and lose weight. Often people get a temporary increase in inflammation - and that can include period pain (increased inflammatory prostaglandins) Increase the amount of omega 3 you are taking for the first month or two when you start paleo eating - I've found most clients are helped by this. Omega 3 is the building block of anti-inflammatory hormones. It made a huge difference for me with eliminating menstrual cramps and also changed blood from clotty to bright red.

I would recommend going to see your doctor - this sounds a little strange - and a little worrysome - cramps for 3 days is not good.

how old are you?

cramps are virtually always an indication of insufficient magnesium but the rest could be a variety of things from perimenopause/menopause to just variations while adapting to the different nutrition.

Question for all you ladies "in the know" about this sort of thing... why would going paleo change your period and its symptoms? Is it a hormonal issue from the changed diet? Is a strange period common when women go paleo? I'm still trying to get my wife to come on board. If I do get her to do it for 30 days and she has a super strange period without me being able to explain whats going on, it may scare her away.

I had really wonky periods too after starting Paleo, my flow would be very light for 2 days, then super heavy for one day and then disappear completely with some cramping on the heavy period day. I eat pretty low-carb with occassional IF. About 2 months ago I started taking cod liver oil and calcium together to the specifications in, "The Fourfold Path to Healing" for estrogen dominance. Totally worked and now I have a more even-tempered period.

Wow, my periods are just like that too with the viscosity that you are referring to. At the bottom of the toilet will be a pile of lining. Mine last about 7 days if you count the 2 days of spotting before the big day. I still cramp. Hoping going to grass fed meats will help with this.

I'm 11 and my period sucks, too. Well, I guess I should just write down some reasons... :/ My opinion on periods: crappy.

Reasons why: 1.) It seems like everyone is looking at your butt. 2.) Changing you're period. 3.) You smell like turd all the time. 4.) Changing pads is just disgusting. 5.) While wiping when you go pee, a whole bunch of blood gushes or drips out. 6.) When you get up after sitting/laying for a long time, you can feel the period. 7.) Going to the bathroom is grosser than ever. 8.) Cravings. 9.) Goodbye lighter colored clothing. 10.) Goodbye beautiful self. 11.) You never know when it's gonna strike. 12.) You never know if you have blood in your underwear. 13.) Sometimes you can feel the blood gush out and feel warm. 14.) Always having to check your period to see if it's 'messy'. 15.) Cramps. 16.) Waiting for painkillers to work; which takes about 20 minutes. 17.) Pretending to go to the bathroom at school so you can check. 18.) You forget to bring pads to school. 19.) Where will I throw away the pad at school?... Somebody might see me. 20.) Going to the bathroom more than usual. 21.) Goodbye comfortable sleep. 22.) You're no longer comfortable in your underwear. 23.) Worrying about your diet. 24.) Mood swings. 25.) When the blood gets dried up, it looks like crap.

Um... so yeah. You can think of many more reasons.... so can I. I'm not going to type 200 so... XD

I thought of the first few periods as my body 'cleaning house' which helped me get through the awfulness that occurred. One week on Paleo I got my period and it last 7 days with intense cramping. That's 3 days longer than usual and about 5 days of extra cramping. Thankfully I'm back to a normal 3-4 day period with cramping staying mainly to the first day. Unfortunately I later got a probable diagnosis of endometriosis and now have horrible debilitating cramps whenever my right ovary is releasing an egg.