Women's Health Community

Dear neujahr: Your concern is understandable. I could not find any specific data about Gardasil and menstrual side effects. My best GUESS about your bleeding problems is that they are related to a series of missed ovulations--a hormonal problem.

As you may know, in a normal cycle, estrogen is produced all month. Estrogen is responsible for building up the lining of your uterus so you have something to shed each month. In a normal cycle, progesterone production increases following ovulation. Progesterone ?stabilizes? the uterine lining in preparation for a possible implantation of a new pregnancy. If you are not pregnant that month the levels of estrogen and progesterone fall, triggering the release of the uterine lining?your period. So, if you do not ovulate, the estrogen build up of the lining continues, but without the usual ovulation associated progesterone. Thus, the hormone levels don?t decline, and the lining stays up inside the uterus?as a missed/late period. Alternatively the lining can begin to shed under its own weight producing prolonged bleeding and often very heavy bleeding.

Another way inadequate progesterone production from missed ovulations can create too heavy a flow is as follows. Simply stated, if the uterine lining is like grass or lawn, estrogen is like the fertilizer ( thickening of the lining ), and progesterone is like the lawnmower (keeps the lining thin by three different mechanisms). This is why birth control pills (relatively progesterone dominant) bring about shorter, lighter periods. It is also why women who miss ovulations (no progesterone produced) are at a greater risk for too thick lining and increased flow when they do begin to shed their lining.

Causes for not ovulating are multifold: thyroid problems, pituitary problems, ovarian cysts, physical stressors (eg sudden increases in exercise, crash dieting), emotional stressors (problems with parents or boyfriends/girlfriends, exams), increased body weight, anorexia, rotating shifts at work, etc.

In terms of women dying of blood clots after Gardasil, that refers to blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary emboli). This is a very rare side effect and is not related to blood clots coming from a heavy menstrual bleed. In menstrual bleeding, clots are closely linked to the amount of flow. The heavier the flow the larger the clots that can be passed. Normally there is an enzyme produced in the uterus that keeps menstrual fluid liquid so it can pass out of the small cervical opening. When bleeding is super heavy the rate of flow exceeds the amount of enzymes that can be quickly made--leading to increased clots.

In your specific situation, given the amount of flow, you should contact your GYN. They might (depending upon the current amount of bleeding) suggest the use of a very short course of hormones to get your bleeding under control.

Bottom line, I could not find any connection to Gardasil. It may have been coincidental or something very uncommon.

Yours, Jane

Hi, I know that its been 10 months sense you posted your problem but I really want to know what happend. I am having similar problems and I have taken the gardasil shot as well. Like you I didn't have any problems until after the second shot, then I had unusual short bleeding in between my period. I notified my doctor about it before taking the third shot and she said it had noting to do with the gardasil shot it may be stress. So like you I thought there may not be any problems with taking the third shot. Then I missed couple of my periods, after that I started to bleed I thought it was my period but I didn't have the same simptons as a manstration bleeding (no cramps, or breast soreness). I bleed for two weeks, then I stopped missed a period and then I started to bleed again without any cramping. I did not have heavy bleeding but small to medium drips. After that I bleed almost two months and started to be more and more heavy. I thought maybe I was doing too much,drinking or lifting to much around the house. So I started to take care of my self, it worked for couple of weeks. Then yesterday I started to bleed extra heavy with maga large clots. The problem is I do not have any insurance and my husband just lost his job. If any one can help me please!!

I know this is really late but I just happened to come across your post I have experienced the same exact thing my cycle was on the day I got the shot it made it go off i thought it was a little strange but just shrugged it off but then i I didn't get a period for about 2 months and when it was time for the second shot I told my doctor she told me it was more likely from stress and the shot doesn't have any side effects like that she then gave me a pregnancy test which I told her I know for certain I'm not pregnant since i've never even had sex but she said she had to be sure anyways afterward she gave me the second shot and hours later my period came on so heavy and the clotting oh my god it scared me so much I bled for about two weeks and then after that no period for about 3 months and then it would just come on inconsistently sometimes twice a month sometimes not at all just all around irregular until this very day my period has never gone back to being the same as before I've never regretted anything more in my life besides this shot if anyone is lucky enough to come across these postings before taking the gardisil shot please i beg of you don't go through with it