What's a heat? What's a rut? How does that work?
These descriptions are across-the-board, for all Omega characters that will be played in the community. Differences to this information should be discussed with the mods.

Three to five days before heat begins, Omegas will go into what is known as pre-heat. During this time, they will have the urge to start to nest. Nesting is generally making up a small, comfortable place to ride out a heat. The area will be filled with blankets, pillows, and things that remind the Omega of their Alpha (if they have one). Oftentimes, Omegas also find themselves being extremely hungry during pre-heat, as their bodies are trying to compensate for when heat itself hits and the Omega has little care for eating or drinking. Omegas may sleep more during a pre-heat to conserve the energy they will need for their heat, and often find themselves overheating mildly, especially while asleep. Pre-heat ends when the Omega goes fully into heat.

When pre-heat ends, the Omega goes immediately into heat. Heat lasts from 4-7 days, and begins with fever, mild cramping, increased slick, and increased pheromone production. The increased pheromones are biology's way of luring mates, and it signals to any Alphas in the area that the Omega is fertile. Betas may also feel the pull to breed with an Omega in heat, but the draw on them is far less than it is on Alphas.

As heat really gets going, slick production ramps up even further. The desire to mate becomes anywhere from a low-grade need that is easy to brush off to a desire that, if not relieved in some way, can become almost entirely debilitating. Unmated Omegas have many options to get relief, including asking a friend to be their heat partner (always set up before a full heat, as the Omega's judgement may be a bit skewed if they are in pain or uncomfortable), using toys (generally while masturbating), using an Alpha service, using an Alpha's scent, or any combination of the above. It is generally agreed that toys and masturbation are the least fulfilling of the options, but it can take away enough of the immediacy to allow the Omega to function. Some unmated Omegas may lock themselves into their room or nest voluntarily to stop themselves from trying to convince others to help them through heat.

There are medications that can help to extend the time between heats, or even stop them altogether. Suppressants are an option that many Omegas use. Modern suppressants are safe and generally effective, but constant use can have unwanted side effects. Some Omegas have used the wrong medication (street or non-regulated versions) and have rendered themselves infertile. Taking full suppressants for a long period leaves an Omega who comes off of them with the very real possibility of having a heat that is much more intense than they had before the suppressants. Mini-pills, as they are generally referred to, stop a full heat, but leave the Omega with small heats (also known as pseudo-heats) in their stead. Mini-pills are generally considered safe to take for up to six months at a time, with a one month break in between to allow the Omega's body a chance to have one full heat. Studies have shown that this treatment is safe and effective for up to three years, and then the pills must be changed or discontinued.

Heats tend to go in waves. Once an Omega has gotten some relief, the heat tends to "back down" for a while. This time is the perfect time to get something light and easy to eat down, and to drink as much water as possible. It's also the perfect time for naps! The cycle continues over the 4-7 days, though the last day tends to be the least intense.

An Omega in post heat will likely sleep, a lot. The use of energy in the heat was intense, and the Omega's body is doing its best to bring the Omega back to tip-top shape again. Omegas have been known to sleep for 15 hours at a time in post heat, only waking to use the restroom before going back to sleep. With a mate or a friend to help, Omegas can be woken up to eat and drink every four to six hours, and this will help them to return to themselves that much faster. Once the post heat time passes, the Omega's body continues on its cycle, and in two to three weeks, it will all start anew.

Though rare, there is a phenomenon called Spontaneous Heat, which is when an Omega goes into heat outside of their cycle. The rare cases where it happens include meeting one's perfect match (at which point both heat and rut begin almost immediately), coming upon an Alpha the Omega is close to in full rut (and even if that happens, spontaneous heat generally will still not occur), and hormone injections. Hormone injections are frequently found in sex trafficing situations, being used to keep the Omegas docile and ready to have sex with whoever comes to them. The only reason hormone injections should be used outside of that situation is when an Omega is having problems going into natural heat, or when there have been past issues with getting pregnant.

These descriptions are across-the-board, for all Alpha characters that will be played in the community. Differences to this information should be discussed with the mods.

Rut is the overwhelming need to breed. Alphas generally go into rut every three months, though with a bonded Omega mate, their ruts may align with their Omega partner's heats. Ruts tend to make Alphas more aggressive toward any other Alphas who might come near their Omega/bond-mate. Most Alphas get very overprotective of Omegas they think of as in their care as the rut takes hold. They are generally much more sexually active during a rut, since the biological drive to breed is what is guiding them. An Alpha can have a much easier time being alone during a rut than an Omega in heat. There are amazing sex toys on the market of every size and shape, and artificial slick to be used. As long as they orgasm and knot, it will help to bring the rut down in intensity. Of course, most Alphas would prefer the real thing, but if it's not available there is the option.

In a bonded pair, when the rut coincides with heat, it tends to make both much more intense. The hormones are essentially doubled, as they are both feeding into each other. Bond-mated Alphas may find themselves growling at anyone who comes near their home, and their protective side is amplified significantly. With a Bond-mate, Alphas have been known to go into rut at every one of their heats. This often leads to time off of work for the 4-7 days of heat/rut, plus an extra day for returning back to normal hormone levels.

Rut can be suppressed, just as heat can, though most doctors suggest not doing so. The suppressants for rut are far less tested and regulated, and there are case studies that have shown that being on suppressants for an Alpha can act like a neutering. Rut may be lost to them forever. Scent suppressants are effective, and can help the Alpha get through a sudden or unexpected rut without drawing attention to their situation.

Much like spontaneous heat, Spontaneous Rut is something that happens in rare cases. Finding one's perfect match will almost immediately throw the Alpha into rut. Of particular interest is the non-bonded, but still close Alpha/Omega pair. If the Omega is in full heat, and spending their time mostly around the Alpha, they can send the Alpha into full rut. There are, as with heat, hormone injections that can be given to make an Alpha go into spontaneous rut, but they are usually self-administered, and generally are found mostly in the porn community. Fertility would be the only other reason for hormone shots to bring about rut would be given, and those would be administered by a doctor or nurse.

There are cases of Alphas being given the hormone shots in sexual abuse or sex trafficing, but those cases are much fewer than what happens with Omegas.