posted
Ok so this is my problem. My cycle usually last about a week every month. I had experienced about a month or 2 ago that my period lasted 3 weeks and now this month since the 1st of august, I've had my period for 5 weeks and this week would be my 6th week. I'm not sure what is going on and I do not know where I can go to get checked but since I am currently on that day of the month, I'm embarrassed to get checked. I really want to go to a doctor because I fear there is something wrong. What can be causes of these Posts: 17 | From: ARIZONA | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
By all means, I'd say it's past time to sea healthcare provider.
A period isn't going to last five weeks, so this bleeding is going to be due to something else. There are a lot of possibilities for the what-else. Endometriosis, an infection, a uterine or fallopian cyst, to name a few. But only a healthcare provider can find out what's going on.
There's nothing to be embarrassed about here: sounds like you have some kind of healthcare issue, just like if you had a stomachache for a few weeks, chronic headaches or a twisted ankle.
Do you know where to get reproductive healthcare?
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63418 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
In terms of where to get healthcare? Sure, happy to help you figure that out.
Do you have health insurance or public health?
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63418 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
Robin Lee
Volunteer Assistant Director
Member # 90293
posted
Do you have a primary care practitioner you see regularly? IN other words, the doctor you would see for yearly check-ups. You could start there, or you could go directly to a gynecologist. Have you seen a gynecologist before?
Some insurance companies require that you see your primary care physician first and get a referral from them to whatever specialist you need; in this case, a gynecologist. Other insurance companies will allow you to see a specialist without a referral from a PCP.
To find out what your insurance company's rules are about this, you can check their Web site or give them a call. They'll also have a list of gynecologists in their network so if you can self-refer you can find a gynecologist through that list.
Does this help?
-------------------- Robin Posts: 4401 | From: Washington DC suburbs | Registered: Dec 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hey, Guerita: I'm just checking in to make sure you were able to find the healthcare you needed.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63418 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hi heather yes I did. I actually went to a doctor and she gave me birth control pills to regulate my period and prescribed iron pills since I am anemic. Now since I am not being sexually active, is it necessary for me to take bc everyday? And what if i forget to take a dose?
Robin Lee
Volunteer Assistant Director
Member # 90293
posted
HI There,
So glad you were able to get things cared for.
As to how to take the pills, your doctor is the best one to ask about that, as she has a specific treatment plan in mind for you. Here's my opinion though. You'll still want to take the pills every day, as that is what is going to regulate things for right now and ensure that you don't bleed more than you're meant to. The hormones in the pills send signals to your body that are usually contrary to having a period, and then those signals are removed during the week of inactive pills, in which most people, most of the time, experienc a shedding of your uterine lining. Your doctor prescribed the pills so your bleeding wouldn't be so uncontrolled. If you miss a dose, I'd suggest doing the same thing we'd suggest for people who take the pill for birth control purposes: Take the pill as soon as you remember, or, if you don't notice until your next day's dose, just take it then--so you'd be taking two pills. Having said that, you don't have to sweat it if you miss a pill or two or three, or are late with them, as you aren't using them for birth control but rather for hormone regulation.
I think it's also important to mention that taking these hormones won't have a long-term impact on your cycle. That is, whatever was causing the lengthy period before may go away by itself (or with the aid of the iron supplements), but taking the birth control pills won't impact your hormones after you stop taking it, whenever that is.
-------------------- Robin Posts: 4401 | From: Washington DC suburbs | Registered: Dec 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yes and also I need to get a little more info on birth control pills as to that I don't know what the different colors mean. I've noticed recently that when I forget to take my pills for 2 days, I start bleeding again and get the usual symptoms of a period with cramps and back pain but now I am on the last row of the pack and it has 3 blue pills and 2 white and 2 brown. Now I'm not sure if this is my period & I am taking the pills, I forgot to take them on sat and sunday so i just started this week on monday.
Posts: 17 | From: ARIZONA | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Really, in order for your pills to work as a medication, for what your doctor intended them to be for, you need to take your pill every day on time.
Every pill pack comes with a patient insert about taking them: have you been able to read yours for the basic instructions?
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63418 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
Robin Lee
Volunteer Assistant Director
Member # 90293
posted
HI There,
I'd suggest giving your pharmacy a call. A pharmacist will be familiar with the brand and what the different pills mean. It might also explain this on the information included in the pill package.
-------------------- Robin Posts: 4401 | From: Washington DC suburbs | Registered: Dec 2011
| IP: Logged |
Copyright 1998, 2013 Heather Corinna/Scarleteen
Scarleteen.com: Providing comprehensive sex education online to teens and young adults worldwide since 1998
Information on this site is provided for educational purposes. It is not meant to and cannot substitute for advice or care provided by an in-person medical professional. The information contained herein is not meant to be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or for prescribing any medication. You should always consult your own healthcare provider if you have a health problem or medical condition.
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic