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Ask The Expert Archives on Menstruation |
Questions on Contraception answered by
Marta
Mendez, MD, |
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| Q: Menstrual
Problems I am 19, and have never been to a gynecologist. Recently, my period has diminished to almost nothing and lasts for about two weeks. But after that, a brownish discharge lasts for about 2 weeks. What is this and how serious is it? A: Menstrual problems
are common among adolescents. Most are minor problems such a variations of the length of the menstrual cycle, duration
and amount of menses. As you put it , it does not sound serious but you should discuss this with your doctor
(gyn). |
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| Q: Lost Tampon? Is it possible to lose a tampon inside your uterus and how does this happen? A: I have never
heard of a tampon inside the UTERUS. Physically it is not possible. |
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| Q: Tengo 22 años. Tengo una gran preocupacion, ya que quiero saber ¿Qué tanto riesgo hay en tener relciones en periodo de menstruación? El miércoles tuve relaciones sin protección y fué el primer día de mi menstruación. Normalmente tengo mucho flujo y dura aprox. 1 semana. Hoy, a tres días, mi flujo ya es muy escaso y como cuando faltan dos días para que termine el periodo. También estoy pasando por una depresión. ¿Esto también podría ser un factor de interrupción en mi periodo? o ¿Qué podría estar pasando conmigo? Realmente le agradecería que me contestara lo antes posible a mi e-mail y ojalá y pudiera ser una contestación directa y no por web. Le agradezco mucho su atención y espero oir pronto de usted. A: El querer tener un hijo y no poder, y el poder y no querer... provocan depresion. En ambos casos se puede presentar ausencia de la menstruación sin embarazo alguno. El riesgo de embarazo por relaciones durante una menstruación normal es practicamente cero. Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board |
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| Q: Polycystic Uterus I would like to know your opinion on the following: a 13 year old girl suffers from having a period all the time! We have tried every medication applicable in this field, but no avail. Further investigation showed that she has a polycystic uterus (intervention laparoscopic search took place, normal blood tests; only the estradiol is elevated (0.72)-she appears to be a normal girl: 162 cm, 65 kg. At this moment she has no medication because of all the hormones she took already. (she does not use other medications) Please have some answers, for we are growing desperate. PS: her mother had an hysterectomy because of a polycystic uterus at the age of 37. A: Polycystic uterus? Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) and anovulation (OVULATION = release of the egg cell
from the ovary. ANOVULATION = absence of ovulation) in teenagers, usually is caused by "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
(PCOS)". This is a diagnosis of exclusion. Bleeding may be prolonged and uncontrolled. The prognosis (subsequent
normal fertility) is good. You should discuss this with her doctor (gyn-endocrinologist). |
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| Q: The Pill I am going to start taking the pill and my doctor told me that I have to take it everyday starting by the first day of my period. Every packet of pills contains 28 pills. The question I have is will the days that I have my period count inside the 28 days? What I mean is, if I start to take the pill the first day of my period, the day I finish the 28 pills, will my period come that day?? I am looking forward to hearing from you, thank you very much. A: Yes, those
days count inside the 28. |
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| Q: Irregular Periods I keep missing my period, I have been getting it off and on. My doctor wants to take blood tests. Do you know what it could mean? A: I need more
information: your age, your age at menarche (first period). Menstrual dysfunction can be normal one or two years
after menarche. |
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| Q: Irregular Periods I am 16 years old and I am having problems. I have had a light period for the last 15 days and then it quits for 2 days and start again. Its been like this since last July or August and I don't know what to do. I don't like doctors so I am scared to go to a doctor but I just wanted to know if you could answer my question. A: This can be normal in the first years after menarche (first period). I need you to send more information and for
you to be more specific. Don't be afraid of the gyn, he/she is the one that can help you. |
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| Q: Amennhorea I have amennhorea and am fearful of the consequences it will have on my body in the future. I am afraid of being fertile or getting cancer. I decided to try ortho-tricycline (my 4th attempt at the pill). I suffer from extreme headaches a few times daily. I have been on it now for 2 weeks. I am wondering why I always get these headaches with the pill and why my body is doing this. Also, should there be a concern for me that I could be infertile the thought of that scares me to death! A: Patients on O.C may notice decrease in the amount and length of flow with menses or no flow at all. The pill do
not cause infertility. Headaches are mostly due to the pill. Please, do not medicate yourself, get professional
help. |
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| Q:
Postmenopausal Bleeding I am a 45 year old woman I have stop bleeding when I was 40 but this last March I had a menstrual cycle I went to the doctor and he gave me a couple of bottle of pills that should last 18 months What I am worried about is the fact that I have had cancer in the past and I know that I am post menopausal but to have a period after not having one for so long and now I have pelvic pain scares me a lot but the doctor told me to take the pills and come back in a year or so for a pap smear again because the one that I had was normal can you advise me in some way if I have reason to worry or not. A: Postmenopausal bleeding should be evaluated (D & C, endometrial biopsy) before any treatment. |
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| Q: Heavy Periods I am 13 years old and have had my period for about a year. My periods are always very, very heavy! Is this normal? A: First periods
are usually irregular. Probably these are your "normal" initial periods. See your
OB/Gyn to check hemoglobin
and other related issues. |
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| Q:
Birth Control Pill I have a question about my birth control pill. I am going on vacation the first week in August and that's when I'm due to start my period. I was wondering if there was any way to delay it or start it a week before my normal schedule? One doctor told me to take my sugar pills a week earlier so I would start a week earlier and I could still be protected from getting pregnant. That would mean skipping a week in my pills so-to-speak. So instead of taking 3 weeks worth of pills I would only be taking 2 weeks then a week worth of sugar pills and then start my new pack of pills right after I finish with my period (sugar pills). Is this ok to do and still have the same exact protection as I do normally? Another doctor told me that if I don't want to have my period then I should just skip my sugar pills and immediately start a new pack of pills. I've tried this though and my body did not like it and I had my period anyway except it was even longer than a normal one. He said if that started to happen again that I should then double up on my pill and take 2 instead of one until the bleeding stopped. Is this a better route to go than the first one? My main concern is being protected against pregnancy and I do not want to bleed at all. Please tell me what I should do. I've gotten 2 separate opinions and now I'm quite confused. Thank you so much for all your help. A: I would agree
with your 1st doctor if you simply stop taking the OC's after the 2 week, your cycle will start earlier. |
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