One long period question

[bengirrl-tiger.livejournal.com]

Hi I’m new here. I posted about this yesterday in vagina pagina and someone suggested I post it here as its about periods.

I’m not sure if its something to be worried about yet but it has been annoying me! Lately my period patterns have been all over the place. Normally I have a three-week cycle which usually sees the heaviest period in the first two or three days before petering out. In August however, I had a really heavy period for 8 days solid which was accompanied by blinding migraines. In September I had TWO periods two weeks apart, which were both quite heavy. In October another heavy one coupled with blinding migraines. Then last week at the end of November another period which was heavy for two days and then died off. Or so I thought… it seems that its now two weeks since that period started and I’m still getting period blood coming out. On some days its faint but definitely still there, and other days like yesterday and today its definitely a lot heavier.

Does this mean anything I should be getting worried about? I know I should go to the doctor but I have two old male GPs at my surgery and I don’t feel comfortable about going to either of them (one because he always seemed disinterested in women’s issues, the other because he’s a sweet old gent and I’d be embarrassed to show him my “bits” lol.

I did go on holiday to Tunisia in July just before it all started and when I go abroad somewhere I usually find that my periods go absolutely haywire. I don’t know if that had anything to do with this.

I'm also single and not on contraception at the moment.

I can't believe I'm having a two-week period and counting! Any ideas on what this is about?

Comments

[maidenmorticia.livejournal.com]

When you went to Tunisia, were you on any anti-malarials? I once took Lariam (http://www.lariam.com/) -- well known for the funky dreams side effect -- which caused a bizarre side effect in me: I started getting heavy heavy periods every few weeks. As soon as I stopped with the drug, it went back to normal.

It's been awhile between your trip to Tunisia and the start of these problems, though. I think you need to see a gynaecologist to make sure that there's nothing amiss. Sudden consistent changes in your periods which last over several months and don't seem to be stopping can be signs of a number of different problems.

[crazykittylady.livejournal.com]

oy anti-malarials...

My brother works in volatile areas of africa as a pilot. Thing is, he's not allowed to take normal anti-malarial drugs because one of the side-effects is psychosis and mental instability. Apparently, that's good enough for everyone else, but not pilots? He has to take these anti-biotics the entire time he's there and it makes him sick as a dog, so he usually just doesn't bother.

It's considered quite normal for people to develop stomach and hormonal problems after trips outside the country.

[maidenmorticia.livejournal.com]

LOL... your brother and me, both. I think the only people who really take anti-malarials still are people going to the developing world for a few weeks' holiday. Everyone else simply wears plenty of DEET-based repellant and avoids getting bit.

And of course it's normal to develop stomach problems during trips abroad... I've had them for 5 years now! changes in the period usually calm down though. And in the case presented by this poster, I'm not sure that her trip is relates because of the time lag between July and Sept.

[bengirrl-tiger.livejournal.com]

I wasn't on antimalarials because it was only for a week so I didn't bother. I did have all the tetanus and other jabs you're supposed to have but I don't think they caused it because I've had them before.

I did phone the NHS direct helpline and they didn't know either, they just told me to make an appointment with my GP! So I guess I'll have to do that on Monday.

[crazykittylady.livejournal.com]

I would be concerned about side-line issues here. Body weight fluctuations and stress can definitely mess with your cycle length or cause you to stop ovulating for a little while; which would mess with how regular your period is.

If you're not comfortable with your GP, can you ask for a referral to a gynecologist? If not, you're in the UK, can you simply go to another doctor in your area? I'm not sure how it works there, I think you have to sign with an NHS surgery and then stay with that surgery? Don't you have to have a pap every year anyhow? Even if you've never been sexually active? Where do you get your paps?

And I don't mean to scare you, and I'm not saying it's likely, but could this be early menopause? There are women that hit menopause even in their early 20s, so your early 30s might not be too far off for the first hormonal signs, even if it's not likely. If I were you, I would go to the doctor's office and ask for some blood work to be done just to make sure nothing is wrong.

[ex-the-major316.livejournal.com]

RE: NHS doctor surgerys.

You can walk into surgery and they'll treat you. You just need to fill in a form with address, normal doctors address, national insurance number...

[bengirrl-tiger.livejournal.com]

I'm already registered - they are the two old guys I mentioned in my post.

I hope its not early menopause because I would like to have children!

I think I will have to go to a wellwoman clinic or something if they still exist. Thanks for all your comments and help everyone.