constant vaginal bleeding now for 6 months

Might as well add me to the list. I'm a 26 year old female. I'd first started birth control in November of 2006 when my husband and I got married. I went to my gyno in February for my annual/pap and everything was fine, except my blood pressure was a little high and she didn't feel safe reissuing my birth control. She gave me the option of an IUD, which I have scheduled though I don't know how my problems since then are going to affect it.

Shortly after my annual appt (the pap came back clear) I was late getting my period by about 8 days. Eventually I got it, though I haven't stopped bleeding since. I'm horrified by some of the stories here, as my bleeding isn't extreme, though I do pass clots on occassion. It's not as heavy as a regular period, but it's still consistent enough that my husband and I haven't had sex since February.

I went to my primary doctor who did a pelvic exam and recommended I see my gyno again as the bleeding may be cause by a lack of the hormones that my body has been used to for the past year and a half. She's put me on a birth control without estrogen, and advised that I take a multivitamin with iron every day to curb anemia.

As it is, I have my gyno appt on the 26th and will definitely stop back in here and give you ladies some kind of an update.

~

I am 21 years old an i have bleeding constantly for the last 3 years. i have a one child . Every since i gave birth to my child it has been non stop. my bleeding is usually very dark an heavy with no breaks longer than a 24hrs. this is a constant stress i havent been able to get to the doc cause i have no med benefits i am very concerned for my health . Im glad that i came to this sight because i know im not alone.,

HI im 21 yrs of age and i have been bleeding for the last 2 1/2 years. Usally my bleeding is very heavy and dark . Before i had my first child i had irregular bleeding but not as survere. When i had a physcian i tried birth control and none of them worked. Now todate i havent had a break for more than 24hrs. I am very concerned about my health. This site is very helpful cause now i know im not alone.

I am 26 years old and I have also been bleeding for about 3 months now. My symptoms are very similar to you all. Very dark in color and sometimes a deep red. I took the depo prevera shot back in November and since then I had constant bleeding. Just got off the phone from a 24 hrnurse-line and she recommended that I see a doctor within the next 18 hrs. Very worrying...

Hiya,
You know i am so relieved to find this site :$ Its such a worry and just knowing im not the only lady out there suffering this is a weight off my mind. Cause i felt totally alone in this.
Anyway i'm 23 and have been bleeding for 7 months now - i did in march time have 5 wonderful blood free days.
Half the month its heavy with clots and the rest - the other half light or spotting but enough to always wear a pad.

I have always since i started on my period when i was 12 been irregular never been clockwork, just a wait and see when it turned up - i can remember times when i didn't have a period for 3 months and then on for a few days and then off for months again. Longest before this that i've been on was three weeks.
I have never ever been to the doctors about my period, i know this may sound odd but i got use to my period been all over the place that i have just lived with it, but in the back of my mind for all these years its niggled at me.
But now i know i need to go cause its not right to be bleeding all this time :'( I'm nervous and sooo very scared!
But i have to bite the bullet so im ringing tomorrow and getting an appointment o.O

I'm overweight so i hope its not all put on to that - thought it may be a factor i do not know? and also i've been reading up on pcos and i have quite a few of the symptoms tho i hate to self diagnose my self.

I hope tomorrow to have some answers but im sure i will end up been more confused. I will come back and fill you in.
Take care, Lauren xxx

i also have this problem. I was on the depo shot for a while which was great as i had no periods at all. As i travel a lot i moved onto the implant as i found it hard to get the depo shot every three months. I had regular periods for the first year and half, and then began to have constant bleeding which continued for 3 months. I spoke to one doctor who gave me tablets which stopped it, so i stopped taking them as i smoke and did not want to increase the risks associated with this by taking two lots of birth control. About two months later it started again so i went back to see a different doctor as i was in a different town who suggested i should check for STD's. I went to see the original doctor who disregarded this and gave me more of the tablets and said i should take these for 3 months to stop it correctly. These stopped it and i had regular periods for about 3 months and it has started again, although my first periods were just longer than usual, being about two to three weeks, although my last one just has not stopped. I still have not checked for std's as i am not very keen on this, although i know that i should, but when i am most worried about it is when i am bleeding and you cannot do it then. When i last went to see the doctor he said to keep a diary, which i am but i think the problem has gone on for so long that this is not necessary. I am also a bit worried the implant is not working and that would be a cause of the bleeding, although the nurse said thats not true and is not keen on taking it out until the three years are up, which is october. i am 24, have not had any children and have not had any previous problems in that area, although i had a abnormal smear test last year and am due to have another test now. I am also be very keen for advice as i find the constant bleeding very stressful and am desperate for it to stop!! If anyone has any advice please contact me


**edited by moderator**

Just thought I'd post an update to my previous post.





Well, I went to the gyno as scheduled 4/26. She did the usual urinalysis and it didn't show any signs of infection, so that was weeded out as any cause. Next up was a sonogram to check for polyps. There was a smal area that was questionable, so she came back to do a saline sono to see a little clearer, and was able to rule out any polyps/cysts. The only thing she could deduce is that the problems are just due to a hormone imbalance. I did request (and would suggest the same to any of you experiencing this) to have my TSH levels checked. Thyroid imbalances can contribute to abnormal cycles, and there's history in my family of hypothyroidism. She sent me to the lab where they drew blood for the TSH and a CBC (complete blood count, mostly to check my iron and make sure everything else was normal).



She advised that I continue to the progestin only birth control (norethindrone), and even double it for a week to see if it that would be enough to stop the bleeding. I did exactly that, taking one pill in the morning and one at night, and the bleeding was considerably lighter than it had been. It was much easier to deal with it being light and constant, but I would really rather not have it at all. I called her back just to let her know how things were going, and she suggested that I increase the progestin only to 3/day until the bleeding stopped completely.



I was worried that taking sooo much progestin couldn't be good for me, but when I stopped to think about it it really makes sense. This type of heavy bleeding (when a primary cause, not the secondary reaction to some other sort of problem) is caused by the irregular breakdown of an overgrown endometrium. Progestins are responsible for preventing this type of overgrowth. It only makes sense that if the progesterone levels are imbalanced or low (in my case, from stopping birth control altogether, which threw my body into a tailspin) that this type of excessive bleeding will occur. One way to curb it is to increase the progesterone levels via oral regulation (progestins) until the bleeding stops.



That being said, today is my second day taking 3 pills, and I haven't spotted AT ALL since increasing the dosage. The doctor advised that I stay at this amount for 3 days, and then back to 2 pills for a week, and then wean it all the way back to one. She also suggested that if the bleeding doesn't start again once I begin taking one pill/day, that I should stop the pill for a week (the equivalent of your placebo week in estrogen/progesterone birth control) to allow my body to get back onto a normal menstrual cycle.



I'm scheduled to go back for another saline sono in 6 weeks, just to make sure that the endometrium isn't as abnormal as it was this past time, and *crosses her fingers* I'm still very much eligible for the Mirena IUD, which will be inserted at the 6 week visit if everything seems okay.



I should also mention that the TSH/CBC came back just fine, with the exception of my iron. I've been told to take OTC iron (Slow FE) with orange juice every day to control the anemia since I've been losing blood so consistently for so long. It's amazing how bleeding like this will absolutely suck all of your energy. I've wanted nothing but to sleep, and it's been hard just getting up and going to work, but there is a noticeble difference since starting the iron tablets, so it's worth mentioning when you visit your doctor.



Hope this helps some of you. I know how ridiculously inconvenient it can be, especially for those of you who are married, to deal with constant bleeding for weeks and weeks on end. My biggest piece of advice is to definitely DEFINITELY consult with your gynecologist and be knowledgeable about things so that you can be proactive in your health. Please consult with your doctor before increasing your dosage of any medications.



Best of luck to you ladies!



~Berlin

I have been going through the same thing but only for 38 days. I am 21 years old and have never had regular periods. I was on birth control but I stopped taking it. I had my period for 3 weeks at the end of December, went back to school and didnt get it again until the 7th of april. I have had it ever sense. I have never been regualr and am used to going 3 or 4 months without a period. However this is the second time i have had crazy bleeding for weeks on end. I just want it to stop, it is getting really expensive having to buy pads and tampons all the time!! Have you found a reason for it yet?

With all of us going through this atleast I have come to the conclusion I am not alone and not going to drop dead tomorrow from it. Please contact me if you get any answers! I want to go to the doctors about it but I dont want to go in unprepaired. I want to know what is going on before I try and talk to him, especially since my doc is a man.

Crys,

I'm inclined to think that it's just a hormonal imbalance. Mine started after being on birth control and then stopping it. The only thing I've found so far to control is in to get your hormone levels in check, especially your progesterone. Today is my 3rd day taking norethindrone, and I've not had any spotting since increasing the amount (as advised by my doc).

It's probably tmi, but thank GOODNESS for the increase. My husband and I were able to be intimate last night, for the first time since February, without any problems whatsoever.

So yeah, I would definitely visit with your doctor, have your thyroid checked, urinalysis, and a cbc to make sure you're not anemic and see how things go. If he even hints that it's hormonal I would mention taking a progestin only pill to help control it and see what he says.

Hope it gets better for ya...

~

hey yall,
i have the same problem as all of you going for a very long time that i lost count.
if anyone has a solution please let me know!
i feel bad for all yall because i know the suffering you are going through.

I am so glad I found this ste. I have suffered with my periods since I was 18 - I am 30 now and must have been on every birth control pill going to no avail and I have been advised to take the pill back to back. At the beginning of this year I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor which i was advised was secreting prolactin and TSH. I have had another MRI and am currently awaiting the results but now I have started bleeding and have been for about 37 days now heavily. I am due to see my endocronologist soon but wondered if anyone else has experienced this. Mainly I am trying to workout if the bleeding is being caused by the tumor or if its something entirely different - and I am getting a little concerned !

Hi guys I was speaking to a lady who is going through a similar thing. So i did a search and found this Military Obstetrics & Gynecology
Abnormal Bleeding..

It covers alot of problems you seem to be having Im not sure if I am allowed to post links to the site i will try but just in case I will copy and paste 2 items that you might find useful. Its a shame that the doctors out there seem to not care when there seems to be a solution to this problem. So here is what i found

Mechanical Problems
Such problems as uterine fibroids or polyps are examples of mechanical problems inside the uterus.

Since mechanical problems have mechanical solutions, these patients will need surgery of some sort (Polypectomy, D&C, Hysteroscopy, Hysterectomy, Myomectomy, etc.) to resolve their problem.
Polyps visible protruding from the cervix are usually coming from the cervix and can be easily twisted off.
A simple ultrasound scan can reveal the presence of fibroids and their location. Those fibroids that are impinging on the endometrial cavity are the most likely to be responsible for abnormal bleeding.
Endometrial polyps can be identified with a fluid-enhanced ultrasound (sonohysterography), a simple office procedure. They can also be identified during hysteroscopy.
An endometrial biopsy can be useful in ruling out malignancy or premalignant changes among women over age 40. It can also be useful in younger women in identifying the hormonally confused endometrium of anovulatory bleeding, and will sometimes pick up a small piece of endometrial polyp.
Another form of mechanical problem is an IUD causing abnormal bleeding. These should always be removed.

And

Hormonal Problems
Hormonal causes for abnormal bleeding include anovulation leading to an unstable uterine lining, breakthrough bleeding associated with birth control pills, and spotting at midcycle associated with ovulation. Some of these cases will be related to an underlying medical abnormality, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, hyper or hypothyroidism, adrenal hyperplasia, and pituitary adenoma. Rarely, this may be due to a hormone secreting neoplasm of the ovary.

The solution to all of these problems is to find and treat those underlying medical abnormalities that exist, and/or take control of the patient hormonally and insist (through the use of BCPs) that she have normal, regular periods.
Thyroid disease can be ruled out clinically or through laboratory testing (TSH)
Adrenal hyperplasia can be ruled out clinically or through laboratory testing (DHEAS, 17 hydroxyprogesterone, ACTH stimulation test)
Prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma can be ruled out clinically or through laboratory testing (serum prolactin)
Hormone-secreting ovarian neoplasms can be ruled out clinically or through laboratory testing (ultrasound, estradiol, testosterone)
Anovulation can be confirmed through the use of endometrial biopsy, although for women under age 40, biopsy is only infrequently utilized.


If the abnormal bleeding is light and the patient's blood count good, starting low-dose BCPs at the next convenient time will usually result in effective control within a month or two.

If the bleeding is quite heavy or her blood low, then it is best to have the patient lie still while you treat her with birth control pills. Some gynecologists have used 4 BCPs per day initially to stop the bleeding, and then taper down after several days to three a day, then two a day and then one a day. If you abruptly drop the dosage, you may provoke a menstrual flow, the very thing you didn't want.

Alternatively, particularly for those with intractable anovulatory bleeding, plain estrogen in doses of 2.5 up to 25 mg a day can be effective in promoting endometrial proliferation, stopping the bleeding. After the bleeding is initially controlled with estrogen, progesterone is added to stabilize the endometrium, leading up to a hormonal withdrawal flow a week or two later. Two drawbacks to this approach are the nausea that frequently accompanies such large doses of estrogen, and the theoretical risk of thromboembolism among women exposed to large amounts of estrogen while on bed rest.

Giving iron supplements is a good idea (FeSO4 325 mg TID PO or its' equivalent) for anyone who is bleeding heavily.

And

Constant Bleeding
Women who experience significant daily bleeding for a very long time (weeks) sometimes develop another kind of problem unique to this circumstance, denuding of the uterine lining.

Normally, small breaks or tears in the uterine lining are promptly repaired. For women who have been bleeding for weeks, with the accompanying uterine cramping, the uterine lining becomes very nearly completely lost. There is so little endometrium left that the woman will have difficulty achieving repair and restoration of the normal lining without external assistance. A common example of this situation would be a teenager who has been bleeding for many weeks but who, through embarrassment, has not sought medical attention. On arrival, she continues to bleed small amounts of bright red blood. She is profoundly anemic, with a hemoglobin of 7.0.

These patients do not respond to simple BCP treatment because the BCPs are so weak in estrogen and so strong in progestin that the uterine lining barely has a chance to grow and cover up the denuded, bleeding areas inside the uterus.

These patients need strong doses of plain estrogen, to effectively stimulate the remaining uterine lining (causing it to proliferate). Premarin, 2.5 to 5 mg PO per day, or IV (25 mg slowly over a few hours) will provide this strong stimulus to the uterine lining and if combined with bedrest, will usually slow or stop the bleeding significantly within 24 hours. The estrogen is stimulating the uterine lining to grow lush and thick. The estrogen is continued for several days, but at lower dosages (1.25 to 2.5 mg per day) until the bleeding completely stops. Then, progesterone is added (Provera 5-10 mg PO per day) for 5-10 days. Progesterone is necessary at this point because the lush, thick uterine lining is also very fragile and easily broken. Progesterone provides a structural strength to the uterine lining, making it less likely to tear or break.

Once a normal, thick, well-supported lining has been re-established, first with estrogen, then with the addition of progesterone, it will need to be shed, just like a normal lining is shed once a month. Stopping all medication will trigger a normal menstrual flow about 3 days later. The lining will have been restored and the vicious cycle of bleeding leading to more endometrial loss leading to more bleeding will be broken. Future periods may then be normal, although many physicians will start BCPs at that point to prevent recurrence of the constant bleeding episode.

I hope that helps

ok if the board admin will allow it the link is

http://www.brooksidepress.org/Products/Military_OBGYN/Textbook/AbnormalBleeding/Bleeding.htm

If not trying googling

Military Obstetrics & Gynecology
Abnormal Bleeding

and look at the Abnormal Bleeding link that come up for its the second on the list of sites found.

It covers just about everything and also lists solutions. So if your doctor isnt listen to you. Print it out and show him..

Good luck to you all I hope this will help some of you :-D

When I was 17, I went through this, then I lost a 140lbs, and it went away. If you're over weight, that could be what's causing it. I got married, got pregnant, and got fat again, and now I've been bleeding for over a month. Could just change your diets and work out, and that might help some of you...

Hey Everyone,

I have to say I didn't think there would be this many people experiencing the same problem I am. I am 23 years old and I have been bleeding for several months. I used to be very regular, have my period every 28 days. Now it comes between every 20 to 27 days and last about 2-3 days longer. In between these periods I have a dark brownish red and sometimes a light tan color blood as well. I have had my yearly pap and was told everything was fine. I'm making anither app. to see if I can get some answers.