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Ask The Expert Archives on Menstruation |
Questions on Contraception answered by
Marta
Mendez, MD, |
| Q: Irregular
periods and discharge I am twenty years old. I'm a little confused. I read your past questions that people write to you. I found one that I can relate to. I have been having the weirdest periods and discharges lately and I'm not sure why. Not only the length of time but the brownish color that it is, just does not seem right to me. I have always had irregular periods. I was put on birth control pills and the problem was solved. My problem was that I was not having a period. Now I don't know if I am having a period or if it's just a weird discharge. What is wrong with me? Now the differences between the question that I related to my problem was that the cause could be from using birth control for so long. But my problem is that I haven't used birth control pills for about two years. If it's not BCP, what could be causing this brownish discharge? A: Some other causes of vaginal discharge are: recent medication
with broad spectrum antibiotics, and vulvovaginitis ( e.g., bacterial
vaginosis, trichomonas, candida (yeast)).
Appearance of the vaginal secretions can give a clue to diagnosis ( e.g., curly, white, thick discharge is typical
of candida, and a white or yellow, bubbly discharge is typical of
trichomonas). |
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| Q: Breakthrough bleeding I am 21 years old and have been on birth control for about 9 months. I am now on my fourth type of birth control since I have experienced breakthrough bleeding on all types. My doctor now wants me to undergo an ultrasound, blood work and some other tests to make sure I am not suffering from a larger problem. I have been on birth control in the past (the same type I am on now) without any problems. I also cycled very regularly when not on birth control. Since I have yet to miss a pill and am not on any other types of medications, what could be triggering this? What sort of problems may be discovered by these tests my doctor is suggesting? Any information you can supply will be greatly appreciated. A: |
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| Q: No
period for 10 months I am 21 years old and for the last 10 months I have not had my period. It has never been normal. What could be the cause of it being so long since my last period? A: There are many causes of secondary amenorrhea (skipped menstrual
periods). You really need a complete physical exam (pelvic included) and some important tests. The events of the
menstrual cycle are the results of interactions between the central nervous system (CNS), ovaries and uterus. Since
your periods are always abnormal, you must go to a gynecologist (thorough history and physical exam is necessary). |
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| Q: Irregular
cycle I have never gotten my period regularly and I have had it since I was 13. I am now 19. I have never been to the OB/GYN either. I have am afraid to go. Are there any diseases I should worry about at my age. Please give me some advice. A:
Don't be afraid. It is time to go to a gynecologist. |
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| Q: Lack
of period due to PID? I was diagnosed with PID in September of 1999. Before that I had recently, about 3 months earlier stopped using Depo Provera. I have had heavy discharge for about a week. Last month I never got my period, and I've been thinking it's soon. I've had cramps, and even a little spotting, but no real flow....... I'm very worried about this. I don't think I'm pregnant. I've taken two tests. Should I continue to worry? A: Irregular bleeding, headaches, breast tenderness and delayed return to fertility are some of the side affects of
Depo-Provera. |
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| Q: Heavy
periods after pregnancy I gave birth to a baby girl on October 31, 1998 by C-section after an 18 hour labor. After my delivery, I have been experiencing heavy bleeding during my periods which extends up to 7-8 days and sometimes even 10. I even get blood clots in the discharge. Earlier my periods were only 3 days long and not very heavy. Last month, I found pinkish/brownish discharge during the days when ovulation occurs. Then just when my period was supposed to start, I had clots of blood in my discharge. My period continued for 8 days. I thought it happened because I have recently taken up exercising (walking & cycling), but I am worried. Is this something serious or will it get normal after some time? I do feel that the bleeding is getting lighter gradually. A: It could be related to the exercises. Go to your gynecologist in two months. |
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| Q: Do
heavy periods and clots mean endometriosis? I have a question about my cycle. It is sometimes a small flow, then a big flow. But when I have a big flow, I have a lot of clotting. The clots are sometimes big, and they come within 10 to 15 minutes at a time. I was just wondering what might be causing this. I am 22 and I'm worried something might be wrong, but right know I can't afford to go to the doctor. Is there anything I can do when it happens to stop it from happening? In my family there is a history of endometriosis... could that be what it is? Thank you very much. A: It might be a dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB). The two major categories of abnormal uterine bleeding are: |
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| Q: Period
problems I am a 19 year old who is having some period problems. Just recently they have been very irregular. I have been having them about every 2 weeks and they usually last 4-5 days. But this time it has almost lasted 2 weeks! It seems like it is very heavy when my periods are always light. Along with this period I got some really bad pains (worse than cramps). This is also weird because I never get cramps. I have a doctor appointment scheduled, but all this is causing me to sleep and feel lazy. My step mom told me to get some iron pills. Do you have any idea what is going on? A: Menstruations are 28 days apart with normal variations of 7 days. Duration of flow is 4 days with normal variations
of about 2-3 days. The amount of blood is 4o ml with normal variations of 20 ml. But deviation from these norms
can occur, especially in adolescents and climacteric women. |
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| Q: No
menstruación por el ultimo ano Por el ultimo ano, no e podido menstruar. En Enero '99 deje de tomar pastillas anticonceptivas porque mi menstruación estaba durando 8-10 días, y también me venia muy fuerte. La razón principal que empecé a tomar las pastillas fue porque desde que empecé a menstruar (al los 11 anos), nunca e podido menstruar regularmente. Ahora tengo un ano si menstruar y me preocupa que afecte el futuro de poder tener hijos. Que recomienda que haga? Mi ginecóloga me sugiere que empiece de nuevo a tomar pastillas, pero yo no quiero, tengo miedo que me afecten mí fertilita. Agradezco su ayuda. A: ¿Cuántos años tienes
ahora? Es necesario una evaluación clínica completa (antecedentes,
exámen fìsico y pélvico) y seguramente pruebas
hormonales, de laboratorio e imágenes
para aclarar tu situación. Tu problema parece caer dentro del terreno endocrinológico (hormonal).
Debes conversar con tu doctora sobre estos puntos. También puedes conseguir una segunda opinión de
otro coolega de tu localidad. |
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| Q: Unusual
menstruation I am 26 yrs old experiencing a rather unusual menstruation. I have hypothyroidism and am taking medication for it. I have been bleeding now since November 7th. At first it was normal which lasted about 7 days and then all of a sudden it got really heavy with very large clotting. Now it's a normal flow. I'm not experiencing any pain and I rarely ever have menstrual cramping. I know I should go to the doctor but I am rather embarrassed to go while menstruating. Do you have any idea what this is? Is there a possibility that I am in need of a hysterectomy like my mother and grandmother? Please help me with this dilemma. A: Hypothyroidism is associated with menstrual irregularities. I think that you should consult your endocrinologist
and your gynecologist. |
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