Ladies - question about TOM

MissJay75

My usual cycle is 32-36 days, not super regular, but I always start 2 weeks after I ovulate. Normal for me is pretty heavy and crampy especially for the first 3 days.

This month everything started out normal, but I was done on day 6 (usually 8-9 days is normal for me) On day 8 I ovulated, and on day 14 I started bleeding again. (not spotting, this is the real deal) I am now on day 18, and still going strong. I am tired, ravenous, and cranky. I am going light on the exercise this week and trying to get extra iron in my diet. Obviously if this persists, I'll find a doctor, but I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else?

ZugTheMegasaurus

You're crazy not to be calling a doctor today. That isn't normal for most people, and you already know it's not normal for you. Make an appointment ASAP (if you need any more confirmation that this is serious, see how fast they pencil you in once you describe your symptoms).

kellyreynolds14

I'm not sure what type of birth control you use (if any) but I had a similar situation. I started my cycle and it lasted the usual 3 days, then stoped for a day or two. Then it picked back up and I bled for 5 weeks straight (and this was NOT spotting, it was HEAVY! Talk about inconvenient!) My doctor was not sure what was going on but we ended up deciding my birthcontrol was probably defective (I use the Nuvo ring). Once I switched it out for a new one I stopped bleeding and got back on track. not sure if that could be your case, but worth checking into. Call your doctor :-)

emilyhwithlove

This happens to me constantly, but mine is super-irregular... like, 2 weeks one month, then completely gone the next. If this is completely abnormal for you I would get to a doctor..... but I know how you feel. :S

Jezebel_Barbie

Agree, go see you doctor hun. Mine have been out of whack lately, but more in terms of being irregular and stuff. If I was bleeding like crazy (more than the usual bleeding like crazy I get) I'd be straight down the doctors.

samb330

I've always had heavy periods with weeks non stop. Went to the OBGYN 3 times in March had to ultrasounds and a biopsy. Apparently nothing is wrong. A couple fibroids (not big enough to remove) I now have some meds I get to start taking on 5/1. Needless to say, I'm in the same boat that I've always been in and still have no answers or cures. I still recommend you go to the Dr soon. You just never know. As for the iron supplements I'm taking 750 mg a day due to my TOM.

MissJay75

Thanks guys. I guess I'm kinda dragging my feet cause I don't exactly have a doctor. I haven't had my annual for 4 years since my daughter was born. (yeah I know, I know) I'm not on birth control, so while it's probably related to wacky hormones, it's not the artificial ones.

propskat

I know that this happens sometimes when you lose a lot of weight in a short time, or with drastic diet changes. Has that happened lately?

About 3 years ago (age 38), I started having similar problems, I literally had a 6-week period. It was awful, and even the short ones were heavy and painful. After about 18 moths of this, never knowing when its going to happen, or how bad it's going to be, I ended up having an Endometrial Ablation. Basically they burn the lining of the uterus. Some people don't ever have a period again, some don't have one for several months or years, and some start having them again right away, but they're supposed to be much shorter and lighter. I haven't had one since July 2010. This procedure is not for everyone, since you won't be able to have children afterwards, BUT, it's one possible solution.

propskat

Thanks guys. I guess I'm kinda dragging my feet cause I don't exactly have a doctor. I haven't had my annual for 4 years since my daughter was born. (yeah I know, I know) I'm not on birth control, so while it's probably related to wacky hormones, it's not the artificial ones.

Definitely find a Doc!!!!!

MissJay75

I know that this happens sometimes when you lose a lot of weight in a short time, or with drastic diet changes. Has that happened lately?

About 3 years ago (age 38), I started having similar problems, I literally had a 6-week period. It was awful, and even the short ones were heavy and painful. After about 18 moths of this, never knowing when its going to happen, or how bad it's going to be, I ended up having an Endometrial Ablation. Basically they burn the lining of the uterus. Some people don't ever have a period again, some don't have one for several months or years, and some start having them again right away, but they're supposed to be much shorter and lighter. I haven't had one since July 2010. This procedure is not for everyone, since you won't be able to have children afterwards, BUT, it's one possible solution.

This same thing happened to my mom about 5 years ago. She also had an Endometrial Ablation, but it didn't work. She ended up having her uterus removed.

For me this seems more annoying than dangerous, and I was hoping you all would tell me that too.

ETA: No major diet changes, been doing mfp since early Feb, mostly the same foods, just less of them. Slowly working in more protein, fruits & veggies. I lost about 8-10 pounds in 2 months, since I am really close to my goal, I upped my calories by a couple hundred so I am at .5 pound loss a week.

ZugTheMegasaurus

Thanks guys. I guess I'm kinda dragging my feet cause I don't exactly have a doctor. I haven't had my annual for 4 years since my daughter was born. (yeah I know, I know) I'm not on birth control, so while it's probably related to wacky hormones, it's not the artificial ones.

Are you in the US? You're exactly the kind of person Planned Parenthood exists for. They offer services on a sliding scale or even free depending on what you need and what you can pay. Please check their website at http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ and see if there's a location near you. If not, many areas have independent women's clinics that offer similar services and pricing. There is no reason to wait; please take care of yourself.

Edit: for some reason, I read "don't exactly have a doctor" as not being able to see one; sorry if my response comes across oddly because that's inaccurate. That said, everything I said still stands, haha! I just didn't want to look crazy or judgmental or something.