The Never Ending 17-Day Period #GirlTalk

Please note:  The author of this post wished to remain anonymous. I will try to answer any questions for her the best that I can.

The Never Ending 17-Day Period

There comes a point in a woman’s life when she has had enough. Mine came at the 17^th day of a never-ending period. It wasn’t just a normal period either. It was uncomfortable (cramps) with a very heavy flow. For days I had been wondering, when will this period ever end? The previous few months had not been the best periods either. They were becoming so bad I could not work. I had been in and out of my OBGYN’s office. I was given Lysteria – a prescription drug to lessen the monthly flow. These pills worked for a few months and then my body became immune to them. (They should NOT be used if you are on birth control or using a vaginal ring. They cannot be used if you ever had a blood clot or at risk for them.)

Back again to visit my OBGYN – who is a new one, the previous doctor had left. I decided to go back to birth control pills. Several months later the periods were still lasting 10+ days a month. I began to have my periods longer than I did not have my period! Really?  This is not how it should be! I had a blood/hormone test to see if I was nearing menopause – the results came back negative. The end was not in sight. What’s a woman to do?

So What Can Cause these Heavy Periods?

Many things actually can cause lengthy periods. But it usually begins in perimenopause. Perimenopause is time in a woman’s life when her periods eventually stop and the body goes through changes that no longer allow her to become pregnant. It is a natural event that normally occurs in women ages 45 – 55. It does not officially end until you go 12 months without a period. When you stop for 12 months you will then be in menopause.

Symptoms of Perimenopause

• Irregular Periods
• Hot Flashes
• Sleep Issues
• Mood Swings
• Vaginal or Bladder Problems
• Decrease in Fertility
• Loss of Bone
• Cholesterol Changes
• Sexual Changes

Courtesy of Canstock Photo – jacqueline2

These symptoms can come and go at any time so don’t be alarmed! Do talk to your doctor too and see which can be eliminated. Sometimes it can be your diet and exercise to improve any of the symptoms you may experience. There are many other options like Novasure that you can explore if you have heavy periods.

What’s a Woman to Do?

Try, try and try again! After my 17 day period I finally went back again to my OBGYN who changed my birth control pills to a slightly stronger strength. Luckily at age 50 I have low blood pressure, do not smoke and am not overweight. Otherwise this other option may not have been for me. It finally began to work by month 3 with these new stronger pills. My periods went back to normal lasting from 3-6 days and I could work in comfort without running to the bathroom every 20 minutes.  Thank goodness for today’s medicine, imagine living a hundred years ago with none of the technology we now have? I would not want to imagine it!

How are Your Periods Changing as you Grow Older?

Signed,

Anonymous and Extremely Fed Up Woman