[Levit]

It's been about a year since my last "real" period, and about 6 months since my last "normal" period.
I'm 20 years old, and I started my period when I was about 12-13.
From the start, it wasn't a typical cycle, but my mom and I chalked it up to irregularity that would resolve itself.. later.
Long story short, pregnancy scare at 17, yadda yadda, birth control pills making the bleeding worse and not fixing the regularity at all, bleeding through normal pills, yadda yadda, went on depo provera, decided depo was not for me, coming off I had a 4 month long period( suppose that's what I can call it), and since that little episode, I've had one of those heavy 2 week periods that I'm used to and one "normal" shorter 8 day periods since then.

I've been to two gynecologists and in the hospital with a doctor on the night shift twice as well, and so far nobody has noticed anything particularly alarming, save that I was pale.

My question is, what could my options would be from here, generally speaking?
Birth control and depo have proven to be bad ideas, and I'm scared, I don't have health insurance, and is starting to hurt in my lower abdomen area, like menstrual cramps on steroids, but only every once in a while.
In all honesty, I'm really just worried about seeing another medical professional and being told the same thing I've been told four times. Take these pills for the cramping and come back in a week if it still hurts.

I guess my real question is, am I too paranoid, is this not as serious as it feels, am I somehow making something out of nothing

And if not, how do I make myself clear to said medical professionals without sounding like I doubt their judgement or sound like I'm going against their years of training with my seemingly trivial period problems?

[templelane]

Persistence is the key. When they say take these for week and come back, do it then go back. If they send you away again go back. They can be pretty offhand the first few visits but eventually they'll either listen or you'll find a sympathetic doctor.

Also just because the first contraceptive pill didn't work doesn't mean others won't. I was talking about this with my friends the other day and the range of responses to different ones by different people is amazing.

Good luck

[Levit]

Persistance is the key. When they say take these for week and come back, do it then go back. If they send you away again go back. They can be pretty offhand the first few visits but eventually they'll either listen or you'll find a sympathetic doctor.

Also just because the first contraceptive pill didn't work doesn't mean others won't. I was talking about this with my friends the other day and the range of responses to different ones by different people is amazing.

Good luck

Thanks! I figure I should try a few pills.

About persistence, I don't have health insurance, which is why I never went back unless I was passing out dizzy. Would planned parenthood be a good place to try? Or like.. what are my options, do you think?

[templelane]

Oh dear it's too early in the morning! I read that you did have health insurance.
I don't really know about the american system as I'm for the UK where all healthcare is free.
All information I know about getting free healthcare in america is second hand so I'll let somebody else reply, I don't think it'll take too long :)

[justcurious55]

Planned parenthood can probably help you. They're at least worth a shot.