Ladies help, TOM issue and weight

I think I'd be more concerned about blood loss and anemia than weight loss and money. Just sayin'...

Whoever told you to see a doctor was correct. And when you are there you can talk to him/her about your weight loss and discuss what would be best for you.

Please don't sacrifice your health over money worries.

As far as weight gain during your period, check out this thread: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/395474-help-i-ve-gained-pounds-in-the-last-day

Here's a link with some info on prolonged periods: http://www.everydayhealth.com/pms/long-periods.aspx

Even though you don't wanna hear it, you should probably go to a doctor. There's probably a health department in your area that will charge you based on a sliding scale. I don't have any insurance plus am a broke college kid. Last year I had a severe kidney infection & HAD to go to a doctor, ended up at the health dept in my town & it only cost me $20 for bloodwork & a round of shots & 2 medications, because I had a low income & whatnot. So check out your local health department

I would definitely go to Planned Parenthood. I had to go there a couple of times for an annual exam and birth control while I was unemployed. They only asked for a donation of whatever I felt I could afford for their services.

i have had that happen to me a couple of times. before I got married my cycle was like clockwork, but with weight loss for a wedding and then weight gain from settling into marriage it kinda made my hormones a little out of whack! i normally had 5 or 6 day cycles and all of a sudden was having 20 day cycles every 6 weeks. since your cycle is controlled by hormones and those same hormones are affected in weight loss, it is possible that you had an inovulatory cycle and the lining got build up big time and became so heavy it is falling off (sorry if that is tmi!). that is what my midwife told me anyways. make sure you are taking iron if you feel weak and if you can go to a free clinic or planned parenthood i would go! it may be hormone embalance that may just take some time to adjust itself, but the peace of mind from going to get checked out will be worth it!

Yes, more worry about bleeding, less about weight gain.

I understand about having no insurance because I'm in the same boat as you. Here in Wisconsin there are services offered to women for reproductive health.

That being said, I checked and there is a clinic called Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas that may be able to help you. I think you should give them a call and if they can't help you I'm pretty sure that they can point you in the right direction. I saw that someone suggested Planned Parenthood. They're fantastic also! So get that looked and go from there.

Irregular oeriods are more common than you think, and not only just in terms of people experiencing shorter heavier periods, or skipping periods, but longer is common as well.

However unforunately it is also a sign of something serious - You could have cysts, harmless, on your ovaries, they would need ultimately removing. They wont indanger you right now though. Or it could be happening due to stress. It could also be a side affect of being on the pill, if youve come on or off it, missed some tablets? It could be a hormonal imbalance which can be treated with appropriate drugs or hormones. Surgical removal of polyps or fibroids may also be done, if required. There are other more serious things it could be too.

Do you feel bloated, like for isntance you've had too much softdrink, is it tender when you press around? Are you getting worser cramps than normal?

Long-term irregularity can be anything from a cycle that changes in length from month to month to the experience of various abnormal symptoms such as heavy bleeding, no cycle for months for a period of time, very painful periods or ovulation.

Short-term irregularity can be due to any of the causes such as fatigue, stress, and over exercise which generally occurs infrequently. Irregular menstrual cycle has become common problem among women today. It is found that one out of every five women suffer with this problem. There are several reasons for a menstrual cycle to become irregular.

The cause of irregular menstrual cycle is mostly related to stresses, tension, ingested medications and caffeine, a substance that disrupt corpus luteum function or even act as anticoagulant blood thinners.

Remember that fluctuation in periods indicates the beginning of disturbance in the natural chain of hormonal events that manage menstruation.

Cigarette smoking is another reason for abnormal menstrual cycles because it shortens the follicular phase. It also shortens the luteal phase if smoking is heavy. However, extreme alcohol intake is also a reason for irregular menstrual cycle.

The other common responsible factors for irregular menstrual cycle are:
significant weight gain or loss, over-exercise, breastfeeding, polycystic ovarian syndrome/estrogen dominance, poor nutrition, medications, chemotherapy eating disorders, hormonal imbalance, recent childbirth, miscarriage or uterine abnormalities (fibroids/cysts/polyps/endometriosis).

The occasional skipped or lengthened menses cycle are not the only symptom of these problems. However, continued abnormality in period is also an indication of irregular ovulation and irregular menstruation cycle. If you notice this problem, then right away consult a gynecologist for appropriate treatment.

You are best having an annual examination with a gynecologist, for your own peace of mind and good reproductive health. Surely you can make an appointment with your doctor or visit a clinic. Abnormal menstrual changes is something that you shouldnt ignore. By seeing someone, you will get some answers and can stop worrying. The initial GP consultation surely would be within your budget - it would only cost you a fortune if you possibly went straight ahead with treatments. Just shop around for a doctor, and make sure you are armed with some knowledge yourself before seeing one. Google is your friend. Ask him questions on what you've learnt from your research, and take a pad of paper and a pen, have some questions written down. Make that bloody doctor work for his cash!!! :-)

Goodluck!!!

I hear you on the health insurance. Like many folks who lost their jobs, 100 bucks for a walk-in clinic visit is just an impossible expense. I don't think 13 days is all that long--in my family we all have weird periods like that from time to time--but honestly, if it goes on much longer, start calling around to see what kind of help you can find.

Also--more fruits and veggies! If you're having trouble fitting them in, try Low Sodium v8 once a day, it covers a serving easily and tastes great to boot. Well, if you like V8, which I do. A lot.

Another tip I have discovered is for salad-haters. I'm not much of a salad fan, but Butter Lettuce is WAY nicer than most lettuces, tastes delicious and mild and has a nice texture. It made all the difference in my salad consumption rates.