[tanya31]

I'm 18 and I'm not on birth control. I have my period right now and I'm on the tenth day (yikes). I'm normally pretty regular. I normally last about 6 days. But today being the tenth day I have started to worry. It is still very heavy. In my normal cycle I'm about as heavy as I am the second day. So I don't know if anyone has any idea why this could be happening. Anyone have any advice/information? Thank you very much.

[tanya31]

Okay, well now I'm technically going on day 11. And no change in the flow.

[simoneaugie]

It could be holiday stress. The uterus sheds its lining every month. Where is it finding all that extra stuff? I always ask myself that question when it happens to me. It is your first experience with this "run-on" though. Go to the doctor. They may test you for something. But you'll probably experience it again in your lifetime. They sometimes find things like uterine fibroid tumors. Those are not cancerous. If they run in your family, your mom or a female family member will know.

[tanya31]

Thanks. I also forgot to add that I completely skipped 2 months prior to this.. could that be affecting it also?

[Cristal444]

That could be related. Especially if you skipped the 2 prior months due to a hormonal problem.

Have you been taking a lot of anti-inflammatory medications lately? This can cause more bleeding as well.

[tanya31]

No, I haven't been taking any meds at all.

[J_9]

Thanks. I also forgot to add that I completely skipped 2 months prior to this.. could that be affecting it also?

Yes, this very well could be why your period is so long. But remember, our advice here does not in any way replace the advice of a doctor.

[tanya31]

Yes I know.. I just can't get to a doctor for a bit because I'm stuck at school. I just didn't know how serious it was and if I need to attempt to get home soon to get it checked or not.

[J_9]

Are you bleeding excessively? Like a pad an hour or more?

[tanya31]

No not quite that much. But its really constant.. like this is the 12th day, and its not slowing down or anything.

[J_9]

This may or may not be related to skipping your period for 2 months. Without knowing your personal health history it is impossible to say for sure.

Is there not a clinic at your school?

[tanya31]

We only have a part time nurse, she doesn't really deal with much.. just the typical cough drop solves anything. But my period has normally be very regular then it just skipped and now it won't go away. Its very not fun.

[J_9]

I imagine it's not fun. Can you get to a local clinic? My concern is for your iron levels which may or may not be affected by this lengthy period.

[tanya31]

I was kind of wondering about that too, I've just been exhausted recently, is there anything simple I could do to get more iron?

[J_9]

Eat red meats, green leafy veggies, take a multi-vitamin... Those are all things that will help get iron back in your system.

[tanya31]

Okay, thank you