This was written 5/19/2019 and is a repost from my old website.

Over the years, I've had questions about the heats my omegas go through. I figured I'd share some of my answers here in case you were wondering, too.

Q: Do omegas go into heat every month?

A: Yes! Omegas go into heat every 28 days, with onset at the full moon. (Their lunar cycle is just like ours on our world.)

During this time, an unmedicated omega will beg any nearby alpha to breed them. If an alpha is in an omega's presence during a heat, he will go into full rut. Heat meds don't make a heat go away, but can make it more manageable.

Heats typically last for 3-4 days. Teens and more mature omegas often experience fewer, less feverish days. 

Q: Why are they set to the moon's cycle?

A: Since there are actual men on our planet who believe all uterus owners are synched up and all go on their periods when the full moon comes, I made my omegas tied to that cycle as a bit of an inside joke. 

Hey, the Omega Quadrant books are dark and heavy. I had to introduce some levity here and there.

Q: At what age do omegas go into their first heat?

A: Most omegas go into their first heat between the ages of 16-17. Like anything else, there are those who sometimes fall outside the norm. Heats can start far earlier or much later.
An omega's first heat tends to be a bit chaotic. It almost always starts a bit earlier -- several days before the full moon, so the young omega's papa can be there to assist and provide emotional support. 

The first also tends to to be brief and less powerful than any other they'll have. Most teens are also less fertile.

Most omegas begin using heat blocking meds immediately, from the very first heat. Like I explained in a previous heat meds post, Heat Repress was created to assist young, unmated omegas, and those between pregnancies -- so it was not meant to take continuously for more than a few years at a time. 

Heatex, being significantly stronger, has to be cycled off for a month every 1-2 years.

Q: What is cycling off?

A: While this is more a medication question, NOT cycling off can cause weird heats to happen, so I'm including it here. 

An omega who has taken Heatex for a year or two consistently, MUST take a month off and have a full heat to reset their system. There are "omega spas" and other safe places where omegas can do this without being in danger of being claimed by an alpha and are often run by betas trained to assist.

Heat Repress, being a MUCH milder drug, doesn't have to be cycled off as often, perhaps every 10-20 years, though not many know of this requirement, since it's rare for an omega not to be claimed and impregnated during their heat years. (Omegas don't use the heat medications while pregnant/nursing, so that's considered a "cycling off" period, as well.)

Gray, in His Surrogate Omega, was reaching the limits with Heat Repress and needed to cycle off, but he did not have the language for this as he did not know that was something he needed to do. That's why he mentions something felt off with his heats.

Q: What happens if an omega doesn't cycle off?

A: A WILD HEAT can occur if the meds aren't cycled off. Basically, the omega's body has gotten so accustomed to the medication that it becomes less effective. Driven to extremes without cycling off a heat, it can trigger a heat that's even more explosive than an unmedicated full heat. A Wild Heat can last more than 3-4 days, as well.

In the months leading up to a wild heat, signs will appear. An omega will be hornier and wilder, need sex more all of the time, have less and less control.

An omega experiencing a wild heat goes a bit insane and they have been known to go to extremes to get to an alpha to sate their need.

You got a peek at this happening in One Wild Heat (Alphas of the Western Provinces, 1). 

Q: Are there other types of heats?

A: Yes!

When a fated alpha-omega pair meet, a CONTACT HEAT can occur, whether it's a full moon, or not. It's typically not as strong as a full heat, lasts only a few hours, and can be controlled somewhat by heat meds, if the omega is taking them.

This is also classified as a SPONTANEOUS HEAT, and there can be other reasons for a spontaneous heat to occur, like aging, other medicines the omega is taking, or illness.

An omega is less fertile during a spontaneous/contact heat but can get pregnant. 

Q: Can betas or other omegas sexually assist an omega in heat?

A: Omegas suffering alone through a heat typically use a dildo to minimize their need, so yes, another penis can help a little—but none of them will provide what an alpha's cock can. The act of being knotted soothes an omega most of all.

Alphas who are not an omega's fated mate can provide that service, as well. While most omegas refuse to use an alpha partner for fear of getting pregnant (or a sense of duty to their unmet alpha, perhaps?), there are some that prefer the satisfaction only an alpha can provide and risk pregnancy to have it. 

Q: Is there birth control?

A: Yes, but it depends on the province whether it is legal or not. 

Condoms are readily available in most provinces—mostly because birth is arduous for an omega and having back to back children isn't recommended. Omegas who are nursing cannot take Heatex or Heat Repress, so they are at risk of getting pregnant too quickly. Condoms can help prevent this.

Medical intervention, in the form of "the pill" or something akin to the diaphragm is also available, depending on legality of the province.

Q: Is abortion legal in this universe?

A: In some provinces, yes, and like here, there is a lot of stigma surrounding it.

Q: At what age do omegas stop being fertile?

A: Similar to our world, most omegas lose fertility as they age. Most see fewer pregnancies moving into their mid-to-late thirties, though, it is not completely unheard of to have a pregnancy occur into an omega's early fifties. It all comes down to genetics.

Many omegas in their forties experience fluctuating heats, meaning they might skip cycles here and there and start having fewer of them until they eventually stop.

Because birth is arduous, wombs are often damaged with multiple pregnancies and are often removed after the birth of 3-5 children. 

Large families are rare, though were seen more often in older generations.