Question about "that time of the month"

[ReaLuvsAOxymoron]

What can you do if all the sudden that time of the month is happening more than once a month. It's driving me crazy and i don't have insurance right now.

[Dolce_Dawn]

Is there a free clinic you can go to? Maybe someone here can help you figure out what's going on b/c they went through something similar? Look it up on WebMD....? Ummm... I'm just trying to think out loud, but how long has this been going on?

[ReaLuvsAOxymoron]

It happened one time before and the doc I went to didn't even give me a pap just put me on birth control (which I really don't want to be on) but that was a couple of years ago.

This time it's been going on for four weeks and I just started my third period today.

[Dolce_Dawn]

Oh boy. The previous doc never said what it was from? He only prescribed BC pills? Oh, brother! I'm sorry I don't have any helpful solutions, but like I said, maybe someone will come along and post who knows more...

In the meantime, I would look it up or at least call a doctor or clinic and describe what's happening. Maybe they can give you a clue? http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[ReaLuvsAOxymoron]

Yeah I think I will do that...last doctor was a joke, I had never even had a pap before so we probably coulda found out if I had issues...I wrote on the forum a long time ago about thinking I was infertile and now I see that this may be linked and that it could be something that could have been fixed ages ago.

[sillygurl18]

How old are you. I am going through somethng similar. I am 18 and I was having really long periods and my doctor said it was because of my age.I have been having periods for 7 years. I was having 15 day long periods. I wen't to the doctor and she put me on birth control. The last time this happened I had a period from April 17 to May 2. I didn't have another period last month, so I haven't even started taking the birth control pills.

[ReaLuvsAOxymoron]

I am 22 and have been having periods for 9 years. I don't know though. All I know is that I don't want to just go on birth control because it seems like such a quick fix when I want top have children sometime soon.

[webby]

Real, I don't want to frighten you, but you may want to find a free clinic, as was suggested.

I found this information on the web:

[ QUOTE ]
In dysfunctional uterine bleeding, abnormal bleeding is the result of failure to ovulate. The uterus is "stuck" in the first half (pre-ovulatory) of the cycle until the endometrium can't hold together and sloughs irregularly. It takes progesterone, which is secreted by the ovary in the second half of the cycle, to hold the endometrium together, but in DUB, there can't be enough progesterone--or progesterone at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

[Enchantmt]

I have similar issues and I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS) when I was 16. I went from no cycle and weight gain to heavy, prolonged ones with even more weight gain. At the time the Dr. said all I could do is gain weight, that if I wanted children I needed to have them before I was 24 or so and would probably need fertility pills, and if I wanted a cycle to feel "normal" he could give me birth control pills to regulate it.

Now (over 15 years later), more is known and the symptoms can be controlled. A huge help to me has been an herb called Vitex (Chaste berry) and evening primrose oil. Also vitamin A, and additional iron. Low carbing also helps. There usually is some kind of hormonal imbalance and my Dr once prescribed progesterone pills but it made it worse, that was because its not natural. You can get a natural progesterone cream that will help and not cause problems. These items normally help in any hormone imbalance, not just PCOS triggered ones. I wouldnt just self medicate though, even though normally it is something hormonal, see a Dr to make sure its not something far more serious. Good Luck!

[webby]

Enchantmt, when I intitially read the thread the first thing that came to mind was PCOS; a dear friend of mine has it, but she said that she is having more than one cycle per month. I don't know if that is a sign of PCOS.

[Enchantmt]

[ QUOTE ]
webby said:
Enchantmt, when I intitially read the thread the first thing that came to mind was PCOS; a dear friend of mine has it, but she said that she is having more than one cycle per month. I don't know if that is a sign of PCOS.

[/ QUOTE ]

It can be. Mine would sometimes be continuous for
3-4 weeks (or more http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif) or go away for a week and then come right back. I was tired ALL the time. Things are much better since I have added the supplements I mentioned earlier.

[ReaLuvsAOxymoron]

I'm tired all the time but I think that is because I am severely anemic and I don't think all this extra bleeding is helping. I slept 13 hours last night. I have a friends that is staying with me that has PCOS and she has all the traditional symptoms (weight, extra hair, few periods) so I didn't think that was a possibility. What I do know is that I will be very upset if I gain weight being that I'm trying to kickstart a modeling career.

[Enchantmt]

Not everyone gets all the symptoms. I have never experienced the hair loss or excessive facial hair that many women have. Mine was mainly the weight gain, irregular cycles and acne. Take an iron supplement. When I did the research a while back I found information that stated a shortage of iron can actually cause you to bleed more, and you already know you are anemic.

Also try all cotton feminine hygiene products as you may be allergic to the fibers in the regular kind. Cotton is more absorbent. The regular stuff caused irritation for me and also increased my problems with excessive bleeding and discomfort.

Lately I added supplements for my skin: B-50, olay vitamins skin smoothing vitamin e, and one a day weight smart and I have TONS of energy now. B vitamins really help.

Since your friend has been diagnosed with PCOS tell her to try a low carb diet. One of the symptoms of PCOS is insulin resistance, which is what causes the weight gain and which Atkins and other low carb diets recognize and strive to correct. When I first started gaining weight, before I was diagnosed with PCOS, I practically starved my self and I still gained 5-10 lbs a month. EVERY MONTH!! It was normal for me to do that but once my cycle came the weight would leave, only now my cycle wasnt coming and the weight wasnt going. After about 3 months my mom took me to the Dr because "something was wrong with me". (Thinking back now she probably thought I was pregnant http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif )When I was diagnosed with PCOS the first Dr said all I could do is continue to gain. Another Dr said I could keep the weight down but it would be difficult and I would never be the size I was before. Due to that I didnt try an major diets again, which I think has helped me because I havent destroyed my metabolism. I exercised but I still gained weight. After researching PCOS a while back many boards had women swearing by Atkins. Many women who were told they wouldn't be able to get pregnant were able to conceive after doing low carb. I tried it and was able to lose weight but I didnt stay on the diet. There are lots of PCOS boards and websites out with information on supplements and diet. Just do a search.

I still recommend seeing a Dr as soon as possible. There are more serious things with similar symptoms.

[msdr]

enchantment i had the exact symptoms you just mentioned. mine started when i was 12..i started my period when i was 10. at 14 i went on the depo and just switched to bc pills last summer. i am currently 18. i would be on my period for weeks at a time and was anemic b/c of it. however when i was sexually active w/o bc i never got pregnant over a period of about 2 years. i always wondered if i would be able to have kids, because i really don't think i ever ovulate. every doctor i've ever been to says when i get off the bc my periods will even out, but i doubt it. when i try and stop i'll be on my period until i finally just give up and go back to taking them, because i've been on my period for so long.the last time i went they said they would check my thyroid, b/c it was "kinda big", but nothing came back.we'll see, but if i can't have kids and nobody bothered to tell me.....i'm gonna cuss somebody out http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

[Nikki319]

hmmm...well this sounds familiar...except that I didn't haven't multiple periods in month...I had my period(super heavy bleeding) for three straight months, my doctor prescribed BC and my cycles started to become regular,he told me because I had skipped so many months without a period my body was trying to catch up. That was in high school...I stayed on BC for about a year then got off and everything was fine until the day before my European trip in 03,once again I had my period for the entire 10 day trip and for 3 additional months,went to the OBGyn and he said there was nothing wrong with me and I went right back on BC...and they leveled off again...so you may have nothing wrong with you..you just might have a weird cycle.(Yes my doc did a Pap both times)

[ReaLuvsAOxymoron]

If I have a weird cycle, okay, but the problem is I do not want to have a period the majority of the month and I do not want to get on birth control because I want to make sure I can have kids since I don't think I can (sexually active w/o birth control 4 years, never knocked up). I'm as concerned about future children as I am about getting a break from this dammit to goodness cycle that keeps coming and coming and coming...

[msdr]

that's the same way i am rea...i don't have alot of advice, but just know you aren't alone.

[Enchantmt]

They checked my thyroid also but often the tests come back normal even if there IS problem. If you want to get off the BC try using natural progesterone cream. Part of the problem with PCOS is what they call estrogen dominance, where you arent getting the spike in progesterone like you should during the month. I have a book that tells how to use the cream but you can still find the information on the net. You just apply it certain days of the month to mimic the actions of the natural hormone in your body. Make sure you use the cream and not a prescription pill. The pills arent natural and can cause excessive bleeding and cancer. The book I recommend is Aging Without Growing Old ...by Judy Lindberg Mcfarland. She is a Dr that has a show on Trinity Broadcasting Network. She would always refer to her book during her discussions and I just had to have the book!! I put off buying it for so long because the title sounded like it was for a 60 year old but its a wonderful book. It has a ton of information on skin care, vitamins, a special section for female problems, male problems and nutrition in general. Shes the reason I started taking MSM a while back, though I dont use it all the time. Here is the amazon link for it:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1888848081/qid=1087062185/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/002-3697811-8237661?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

She also tells you what to make sure the thyroid test is done right, if I recall correctly.

[Nikki319]

It is a myth that going on BC can affect your fertility chances later. There have been lots of studies on that. But I understand your concern for fertility,just talk to a few doctors,and not just obgyns, but others...

[ReaLuvsAOxymoron]

No I don't think it can affect my chances later...What I'm saying is that I want to get it straightened out now...so why get on birth control?