Periods

Updated on June 02, 2008
C.B. asks from O Fallon, MO
29 answers

OK ladies, I know this is gross, but I am just curious and I was looking for some comforting words to set my mind at ease. My menstrual cycle has always been a little off. I usually count the regular 28 days and then I am typically between 5-7 days late in starting after that. This past month was no different. I started on May 9 and had my regular 7 day period (Yes, I am blessed with the 7 day curse)! I went a week, spotted for a day, nothing the next day, and then had another full blown period that lasted 6 days. Every time I get ready to start my period I get all of the symptoms of being pregnant. I get fatigued, nauseaed, sore breasts, etc. I have taken multiple pregnancy tests and of course they are all negative. My husband and I are trying to have another baby, but I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else? I have not contacted my doctor yet because I wanted to see if it was going to happen again or if it was just a one time deal. I'm a little freaked out by it because the only other time this has happened to me was when I went off of the pill about 4 years ago.

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So What Happened?

Hello there again ladies. Thank you all so much for talking with me about this. It does make me feel better knowing that there are others that have gone through this. I guess in my haste to write out my request I forgot to add a few things about me! I am 29 years old and I have not been on the pill for quite sometime. My doctor put me on it after the birth of my son, but after 3 months I stopped taking it (Long story, but let's just say it had to deal with insurance-gotta love it). So, it has been well over a year since I have been off of the pill. I have been under a lot of stress at work, but it doesn't carry over into my homelife, or so I thought. I don't really want to start taking my temperature because I don't want to put the stress on me of thinking about getting pregnant. I tried that with my son and that totally stressed me out! My husband and I have only started actively trying for another baby a few months ago. I will let everyone know how things go with this after my next cycle!

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J.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Hey there C.. I just went through this. After 6 weeks of pms (grouchy, fatigued, bloated, nauseous, breasts very very sore, also some pelvic pain, etc)I went to the GYN. I had endometritis, an inflammation of the uterus and was prescribed 2 antibiotics, Floxin and Flagyl. I am now back to normal, yay! Good luck.

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G.C.

answers from Kansas City on

If it's any consolation, every month when I get PMS I get all those symptoms. I think it's pretty normal. Being late can be caused by stress. That can also affect whether or not you get pregnant I think. But if you are really stressed you need to relax. My mom told me when I was younger that she had all those PMS symptoms too. When you are on the pill it keeps some of that stuff from happening. It also may be lasting 7 days because of the length of time between them. Mine only last 5 days. My body will eventually balance itself out. I'll be 2 or 3 days late for 2 or 3 months & then be a whole week early! It kinda sucks, cause I'll get used to a certain week of the month & then my body changes it! Anyway, I really wouldn't freak out cause everybody's body is different. I'm not a doctor, but it sounds like relaxation may help. I've personally just try to take some me time to relax. Just an idea. Good luck!

G.

I'm a 34-year-old mom of a 13-year-old girl! She's a handful!

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G.N.

answers from St. Louis on

Its possible that you could be pregnant, I would call the Dr and let him/her know whats going on and they can do a preg test. I know you can still take a test and have it come back negative and you can still be pregnant, depending on if you are how far along you are when the test was taken. I have known women that took tests and they came back negative and in fact they were pregnant.

Good Luck

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A.L.

answers from Topeka on

As a nurse and mommy of two, my opinion is for you to see your OB/GYN. My question to your doc would be to evaluate you for polycystic ovarian disease. Hormones are probably to blame, however if you are trying to conceive I would not think you are on any birth control pills, which could absolutely cause your symptoms. Check with your doc though, since you're trying. Good luck!

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M.H.

answers from St. Louis on

C.,

I don't know how old you are but I had similar issues for the last 5 months. It could be as simple as your body regulating itself...or it could be the onset of Peri-menapause. Then again, it could be a cycst pressing on the uterus. This is indeed, something you need to discuss with your doctor because no matter what, you may need some intervention.

Like you, I used to be able to calculate my period on a calendar (28 days...5-7 days on...pregnancy-like issues before the onset of the period), then all of a sudden, I started having heavier bleeding. Over the next few months...combine the heavy bleeding with repeat periods...7 day run...1 week off...start all over again. I ended up in the hospital with a hemoglobin count of 6.4. Normal is 12-14. After attempting to control this with hormones, I had to have a dnc. If this doesn't improve the issue or it returns in less than 6 months...I will have an endoplasty??? Not completely sure what it is...but if it keeps me from feeling like I am going to pass out after I stand up...I am all for it.

In the beginning I mentioned that I do not know your age...as for me...I am 38. I starting having periods at the age of 10

Best of luck to you and I hope that all is well. Another point to consider...I had a weird period every blue moon like you described for no reason at all. I also had a regular period after getting pregnant with my daughter. I hope some of what I have shared as helped. :-)

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A.B.

answers from Kansas City on

That happened to me when I had a miscarriage at 6 weeks pregnant. I had the miscarriage, then I had a regular period four weeks later. We were trying, and I thought I ovulated, but after 7-10 days, I had another period. Then I got pregnant with my son who is now four months. Maybe you are almost there!

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C.K.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi!

I went through that myself (unfortuantley I suffer from endometriosis and after all these years of treatment am also trying for a baby). I had my normal 7 day period and then off a week and then full blown for 11 days...this was two months ago- I have resumed to "my normal" (not normal normal) again this month. I called my doctor and they said I might have had a miscarriage or my hormones were way out of wack. Can't really tell at this point unless I would have tested positive for pregnancy or further along enough to know for sure. If I was pregnant it would have been too early to tell from me having one period and then another but if you bleed and bleed heavy with large clots and go through one pad an hour the chance of possibly having a miscarriage is higher (I have done a lot of research due to my reproductive and endo problems). So I guess the bottom line was I should have called my doctor sooner when I started going through one pad every hour but I used to do that before my treatments so who am I to judge agianst myself what it normal or not normal! : )I honestly was hoping I was pregant b/c I went through nausea and soreness, tenderness of breasts as well but was waiting to miss a period which did not happen. I would advise calling your doctor and letting them know- they will probably tell you to monitor (keep a calendar) to watch the timing of your periods and they will most likely tell you that if it happens again to call or come in. Good luck. I know it is aggravating! C.

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A.V.

answers from St. Louis on

The same thing happened to me my periods were always a little off, they they started going erratic. I'd have my period and then a week later I'd have another period. Sometimes I'd have my period for over a month then nothing for 5 days and then another period for 2 weeks. Each time I'd start flowing, I'd feel sick, sore breasts, etc. Eventually my periods stopped altogether.

I found out that I have PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. There's an imbalance of hormones and such that don't allow the eggs to form completely so over time you wind up with cysts (or unformed eggs) all over your ovaries.

I'm currently trying to get pregnant and they are giving me Provera to have my period and Clomid to jumpstart the forming of the eggs. Then it will be up to nature to ovulate and fertilize.

I had other symptoms that people with PCOS often have, facial hair, extra weight, strange periods... They did an internal ultrasound to confirm PCOS.

I'd talk to your doctor about it. If this is the case (I'm not a doctor and wouldn't know for sure), even though you've had a child, you may have still trouble conceiving another, without help at least.

Good luck and hope the best for you. :)

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L.G.

answers from Kansas City on

C., I would say talk to your OB/GYN & ask to have your thyroid & progesterone levels checked. When you went off the pill your hormones were out of whack & it sounds like that's what is happening now too. If it's a progesterone level issue, you can try a hormone balancing cream (Arbonne sells them) or Red Raspberry tea or Chaste Berry. I drink a tea with both called Fertilitea (can you guess I'm trying to get pregnant?) Good luck.

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T.D.

answers from Springfield on

I know that my mother and I both had our oeriods for about 3 months while being pregnant, we also kept testing negative on the OTC pregnancy tests. I can't tell you that you ARE pregnant but I'd suggest a trip to the doctor and ask for them to take some blood and run their test. That was the only way they could get a positive on either of us. Good luck!

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K.P.

answers from Wichita on

Hi C.,
Stress used to make my periods go haywire, are you under lots of stress? Exercise also made my periods off key. I agree with the ladies go to your OB better safe than worried. Hope all goes well, Good Luck sweetie!

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B.S.

answers from Joplin on

Check with your OB.
If you have been trying to get pregnant, this could be symptomatic of an early miscarriage.
I had a GYN tell me once (when I had an early miscarriage) that women who have frequent unprotected sex (such as a couple trying to conceive) have miscarriages all the time, but they just don't know it. He said most any time that you have a period that is unusual for you, or has "tissue" in the blood, you are probably having a very early miscarriage. It's very common, and very normal. You usually empty out just fine, and are ok to try again, but it is still a good idea to check with your OB to make sure all is still well, and you have a green light to continue to try for a pregnancy.

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D.B.

answers from St. Louis on

HI C.,
At first I thought maybe peri-menopause then I read on and thought gee I would like to know this gal's age. The symptoms before the period are normal pms symptoms. I have all of these now for weeks then it goes away or I finAlly get a period. I"m 46 and i didn't have a period for 6 months because of peri menopause. sooooooooo now i am not sure what to tell you. what is your age?
Debbie B.
Saint Louis, MO

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F.M.

answers from Kansas City on

This type of secondary infertility is actually quite common in ladies that are in their mid 20s. I am not sure your age according to your post. But, it is weird that anytime I have heard a woman going through this, it was around 23-25yo, no matter if they had 1 or several children. I went through it, my friend did, and several others I have heard of on groups of mine. The cure for me (and it happened to me for SEVERAL months) was going on Red Raspberry Leaf Tea. My CNM wouldn't do anything for me at the time, unless it continued for several more months, and if it did I would have become sooo anemic. We were both trying to conceive again too, so I wonder if the increase in relations had anything to do about it. So, anyway, went straight to the health food store to ask, and came home with the RRL tea, which is good all throughout pregnancy as well, and viola! I was regular again, and conceived within a couple months. I believe this breakthrough bleeding had started because I had the Depo shot, and was coming off of it not too long afterwards. My friend had also gone on the pill to get things regular so she could go off and get PG. So, perhaps it is just a hormonal imbalance. Try the RRL, that should do it. If not, I would go to the dr. Fran Drescher speaks of having similiar symptoms and having never used chemical BC, she had uterine cancer, which was easily cured, and also a VERY rare occurrence. But, I did want to throw that out to you.

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A.M.

answers from Wichita on

You may have had a chemical pregnancy (preg that started, but no fertilized egg so miscarried), and then your period. I have had wacky cycles my whole life, and then a couple years ago I went to a site called www.mymonthlycycles.com and put in my info daily (or almost). It helped me determine WHEN i was going to ovulate and it was VERY accurate. I would also suggest you get a digital basal thermometer and start temping every day.

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S.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I think you should go to the doctor. There may be some hormonal imbalances. I had a low functioning thyroid, and a period that was always 35 days. then I went on a thyroid supplement and my period became regularly 28 days. I got pregnant shortly thereafter, as soon as we started trying. You may have some hormonal imbalances that are causing your system to be a little off. I felt so much better after I had the thyroid pill.

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M.B.

answers from Wichita on

if you feel you can wait until you have your period in
June and see if it does the same then I would go see the doctor.

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A.H.

answers from Springfield on

If you noticed a chance, seek a doctor's care to determine why the change is present.

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S.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I feel your pain! I went through so much of that early on till I had my kids. First check with your doctor to make sure everything is in place for you to try to get pregnant then if all is right-go home relax, have a glass of wine, kick your feet up and listen to some great tunes you and your husband like. Now if you are worried about the wine then make it something you enjoy ((he can suffer thru it) like some really neat homemade lemonade or something like a fancy rootbeer or remember to put a slice of lime or lemon in a glass of water-tastes great and looks so fancy! Of course I imagine you have already put your 20 month to bed for the night now turn the sound meter down to as low as it can go-and let him cry a little and I think he may even wear himself out before you go to see what he is fussing about. Go for it girl!

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J.S.

answers from St. Louis on

Have you been tested to see if your progesterone is low? Sounds very similiar to what I went through until I found out. I actually got pregnant several times, but due to low progesterone was losing the baby before it could be 'detected' by a standard pregnancy test. I only found it out after one pregnancy 'hung on' long enough for my levels to be detected at the first ob visit. I carried that baby to term fine and since then my dr put me on progesterone pills, which I started taking a week after I ovulated through the 1st trimester. the other 2 babies I have had after that are perfectly fine! Ask your ob/gyn.

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E.M.

answers from St. Louis on

Are you on the pill? Or actively trying for another? I had crazy periods too. They are a pain! I would call your Dr. if it has you concerned, even a little, check with her to see if they may something going on. A friend of mine was trying to get prego and her Dr put her on the pill to help regulate her periods, it worked.

Good luck, I knwo what a pain it is to go through that so much.

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S.D.

answers from Topeka on

Yes I get the same symptoms too I eat like a piggy chocolate of course.A few months ago I was a week late had all the symptoms of pregnancy expect sore breast's took at home pregnancy test's contacted my dr. all negative was told to do a blood test well that was negative as well no sooner as I received my results from the test my period came,(STRESS)this was during the month of the time change spring forward.I could go on but I'll keep it short being regular and all of a sudden not yes it put's me into alarm mode I however with both pregnancies new within 2 week's after conceving I was prego before missed period's and was alway's right.So if you are tryign to conceive your mind may be telling you ok this is it and set you up for heart ache so try to keep your mind at ease and stress free as much as possible and try again.

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E.B.

answers from Springfield on

Hi C.! I'm not sure about the bleeding an extra week. But, I do know that with my last pregnancy (we were trying) and I took a test on the day I was supposed to start...negative, another a week later...negative, yet another a week later...still negative! When I finally called the doctor and went in I was indeed pregnant. It took the blood test to confirm it. I was 7 weeks pregnant and the urine tests wouldn't show up. Weird, I know. But, I read that it sometimes happens. I would probably call your doctor. Especially if you have been really trying and the chances of being pregnant are good. Good luck to you and God bless!

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V.M.

answers from Wichita on

Hi C., I think I would definately get in to see your doctor, or at least talk to him. Especially if you've been trying to conceive again. A friend of mine went through this all through one of her pregnancies and she had to be very careful, especially when che got closer to the last few months. I would check with your doc just to be sure there isn't something else going on before you conceive or see if maybe you are already pregnant and to be sure there are no complications with it or the possibility of miscarriage. Hopefully this isn't the case, but it's best to be sure. I'll keep you in my prayers and hope you have a new healthy bundle of joy soon! V.

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A.H.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi C.,

The only times my cycle ever gets out of whack is after the birth of a child and stress. My cycles finally went back to normal about five months after the birth of my son. Then I had alot of stress come at me shortly after the birth of my son. The stress didn't have anything to do with my son, even though it's stressful being a new mom. My periods became really heavy. Like changing a pad every hour heavy. It scared me so much because my periods aren't usually that heavy. I went to my OB and had alot of tests done. The only conclusion was due to stress. My periods can even come two weeks after the last one if I get too upset about something. I now have tender breasts like when I was nursing, I get really moody, hot flashes, cramps, you name it I get it now all because of stress. My body is forever changed because of it. Being a social worker makes me wonder if you are under alot of stress. Stress can delay the ability to get pregnant or block it completely. If your cycles are not normal usually, you know your body, so if they are even more unpredictable, it's a good idea to talk with your OBGYN especially if you would like to have another baby. All I can say is if you are under alot of stress find ways to release it. My mother had luekemia due to an overdose of stress. Her doctor told her that because she was under so much stress and over worked without finding ways to take breaks and relax, her body finally made her. So I know first had what stress can do to a person and now it's begining to effect my body too. I don't know if this has been any help to you, but it's a thought. Good luck to you and your family. Take care of yourself.

A. H.

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J.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I read the other responses and I agree but you may also want to check for polycystic ovarian disease, my friend has it and she has had periods that lasted up to 3 months at a time and longer. She and her husband are also trying to have a baby and so far no luck. Good luck to you!

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T.Z.

answers from Topeka on

I would recommend calling your doctor, just to be sure that everything is fine.

As for the getting pregnant part I highly recommend Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It has been incredibly helpful for me.

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C.M.

answers from Kansas City on

My unprofessional oppinion would also be that you might have some kind of hormonal imbalance. You really do need to talk to your OB about this, especially if you are trying to have another baby. There is no reason to suffer when there are so many things that they can do now a days to help with these kinds of issues. If you trust your doctor, then just be open and tell him/her everything and they should be able to help. The sooner you can be seen the better since you are trying for another one. The problems that you are having could be causing you to have trouble conceiving and it is not worth the stress every month to wait. Good luck!

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T.W.

answers from Kansas City on

Hey C.,

The same situation happened to me, I bled for about 9 months on and off. The doctors kept changing my birth control bills, but that didn't work. I ,previously, had been diagnosed with an enlarge thyroid, but the blood tests were normal. It was discovered after I kept saying my glands were swollen in my neck. I had a ultrasound done on my throat, and it was proven to be enlarged. I was also tested to see if I had antibodies present in my blood that were attacking my thyroid. That test came back positive. My endocrinologist, Dr. Kopper, in Liberty refused to give me medicine because he didn't believe that my thyroid was causing all of my fatigue, achiness, dry skin, feeling cold, soreness in the chest, sore throat, neck pain, inability to think clearly at times, and forgetfulness etc.....
But my primary care doctor was totally convienced that there was issue, and sent me to get a TSH and a Free T4 test. (They just draw your blood and send it to the lab.)
and so he started me on a low dosage of Synthroid (0.05mg). My bleeding began to lessen and then stop, once I started taking the medicine. The thyroid regulates your female hormones, metabolism, your body heat and so forth, and when these are off balance, the definite signs are long periods, fatigue, and achiness. I hope this helps!

God Bless YA!
T.

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