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Period Problems
An_247611 posted:
Hello. I am a 34 yr old female who has been having period problems since February '12. I did not have a period from Feb-May. In June I begain to bleed irregularly. It was light. It continued until July, when it became extremely heavy with large blood clots and severe pain. This continued until the end of July, when I was put on birth control pills (ortho). I had a transvaginal and pelvic ultrasound. The only thing indicated was a very small simple cyst. I was also tested for PCOS. My hormone levels were normal. Birth control worked until I got to the placebo pills. I started my "period" on about the 6th day of placebo pills. It is very dark brown and stringy. There is also white mucus at times. It's very light. I had severe pain/cramps the first two days of period. After that there was slight discomfort, but nothing unbearable. I am still bleeding and it is day 11. I thought period was tapering but I started to bleed again (still very light). The blood is still dark brown. I take the birth controls regularly at the same time every day. I am obese and have lost over 60 lbs since February. I also had a colon polyp removed at the end of July that was causing rectal bleeding and intestinal issues. I was also diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and kidney stone in July and August. (It has been a rough couple of months). I am most concerned about my period at this point. I never really had any problems with menstruation in the past. I am a virgin, so I have not been exposed to any STD's. I really don't know where to go from here. Please help!
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Period ProblemsHello. I am a 34 yr old female who has been having period problems since February '12. I did not have a period from Feb-May. In June I begain to bleed irregularly. It was light. It continued until July, when it became extremely heavy with large blood clots and severe pain. This continued until the end of July, when I was put on birth control pills (ortho). I had a transvaginal and pelvic ultrasound. The only thing indicated was a very small simple cyst. I was also tested for PCOS. My hormone levels were normal. Birth control worked until I got to the placebo pills. I started my "period" on about the 6th day of placebo pills. It is very dark brown and stringy. There is also white mucus at times. It's very light. I had severe pain/cramps the first two days of period. After that there was slight discomfort, but nothing unbearable. I am still bleeding and it is day 11. I thought period was tapering but I started to bleed again (still very light). The blood is still dark brown. I take the birth controls regularly at the same time every day. I am obese and have lost over 60 lbs since February. I also had a colon polyp removed at the end of July that was causing rectal bleeding and intestinal issues. I was also diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and kidney stone in July and August. (It has been a rough couple of months). I am most concerned about my period at this point. I never really had any problems with menstruation in the past. I am a virgin, so I have not been exposed to any STD's. I really don't know where to go from here. Please help!
Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear An: Thanks for the helpful history. It sounds like your GYN suspected that the bleeding prior to birth control pills (BCPs) was caused by missed ovulations. It also sounds like you got a good work up to look for all the varied causes of erratic ovulations and prolonged bleeding (eg ovarian cysts, PCOS, fibroids or other problems inside the uterus, and probably blood tests for low thyroid).
In terms of the current bleeding, my best GUESS is that you are experiencing breakthrough bleeding--also known as "poor cycle control". Alas, breakthrough bleeding (BTB) can be a common side effect of most types of hormonal birth control (eg pills/patch/ring/shot/Mirena IUD). Among birth control pill users BTB frequently occurs after a missed or late pill. In your case it sounds like you are careful to take pills at the same time daily. More remotely, BTB in a pill user can arise if she has gotten a chlamydia infection--not an issue in your situation.
When a woman uses hormonal birth control it can make the lining of the uterus more unstable--so it is easier to have some of it begin to shed. Sometimes the lining is less stable because the hormones make the lining much thinner (actually this is good as a thin lining is a healthy lining). Sometimes the lining is unstable because the hormones can make parts of the lining out of synch. This later reason is more common within the first three months of birth control pill use.
In terms of the dark brown blood, when the bleeding is brisk and heavy the blood flows quickly out of the uterus and vagina. When the bleeding is scant and slower it has a much longer time to be exposed to the oxygen in the air. This exposure will turn the blood color brownish. Think about a piece of meat which has been exposed to air for a while. The outside will be dark brown/gray. Yet when you cut into the meat, and expose an area which has not been in contact with the air, the color will be red.
It is very common for women using birth control pills to have a "period" which looks more like dark motor oil sludge than bright red menstrual bleeding. The synthetic progesterone in the Pill creates a thinner lining inside the uterus. This creates a decreased amount of flow. This more scant flow will appear as a dark brown color, and thick consistency.
Bottom line, BTB on hormonal methods of birth control is a nuisance side effect.. If your poor cycle control persists you should return to your GYN or clinic. Often a change in the brand, or formula, of birth control pill will fix the problem.
Congrats on losing that 60 pounds despite MANY other health related stressors! You are to be lauded and we hope that the next six months will be better than the pasty six months.
In Admiration,
Jane
In terms of the current bleeding, my best GUESS is that you are experiencing breakthrough bleeding--also known as "poor cycle control". Alas, breakthrough bleeding (BTB) can be a common side effect of most types of hormonal birth control (eg pills/patch/ring/shot/Mirena IUD). Among birth control pill users BTB frequently occurs after a missed or late pill. In your case it sounds like you are careful to take pills at the same time daily. More remotely, BTB in a pill user can arise if she has gotten a chlamydia infection--not an issue in your situation.
When a woman uses hormonal birth control it can make the lining of the uterus more unstable--so it is easier to have some of it begin to shed. Sometimes the lining is less stable because the hormones make the lining much thinner (actually this is good as a thin lining is a healthy lining). Sometimes the lining is unstable because the hormones can make parts of the lining out of synch. This later reason is more common within the first three months of birth control pill use.
In terms of the dark brown blood, when the bleeding is brisk and heavy the blood flows quickly out of the uterus and vagina. When the bleeding is scant and slower it has a much longer time to be exposed to the oxygen in the air. This exposure will turn the blood color brownish. Think about a piece of meat which has been exposed to air for a while. The outside will be dark brown/gray. Yet when you cut into the meat, and expose an area which has not been in contact with the air, the color will be red.
It is very common for women using birth control pills to have a "period" which looks more like dark motor oil sludge than bright red menstrual bleeding. The synthetic progesterone in the Pill creates a thinner lining inside the uterus. This creates a decreased amount of flow. This more scant flow will appear as a dark brown color, and thick consistency.
Bottom line, BTB on hormonal methods of birth control is a nuisance side effect.. If your poor cycle control persists you should return to your GYN or clinic. Often a change in the brand, or formula, of birth control pill will fix the problem.
Congrats on losing that 60 pounds despite MANY other health related stressors! You are to be lauded and we hope that the next six months will be better than the pasty six months.
In Admiration,
Jane
Report This| Share this:Period ProblemsDear An: Thanks for the helpful history. It sounds like your GYN suspected that the bleeding prior to birth control pills (BCPs) was caused by missed ovulations. It also sounds like you got a good work up to look for all the varied causes of erratic ovulations and prolonged bleeding (eg ovarian cysts, PCOS, fibroids or other problems inside the uterus, and probably blood tests for low thyroid).<br /><br />In terms of the current bleeding, my best GUESS is that you are experiencing breakthrough bleeding--also known as "poor cycle control". Alas, breakthrough bleeding (BTB) can be a common side effect of most types of hormonal birth control (eg pills/patch/ring/shot/Mirena IUD). Among birth control pill users BTB frequently occurs after a missed or late pill. In your case it sounds like you are careful to take pills at the same time daily. More remotely, BTB in a pill user can arise if she has gotten a chlamydia infection--not an issue in your situation.<br /><br />When a woman uses hormonal birth control it can make the lining of the uterus more unstable--so it is easier to have some of it begin to shed. Sometimes the lining is less stable because the hormones make the lining much thinner (actually this is good as a thin lining is a healthy lining). Sometimes the lining is unstable because the hormones can make parts of the lining out of synch. This later reason is more common within the first three months of birth control pill use.<br /><br />In terms of the dark brown blood, when the bleeding is brisk and heavy the blood flows quickly out of the uterus and vagina. When the bleeding is scant and slower it has a much longer time to be exposed to the oxygen in the air. This exposure will turn the blood color brownish. Think about a piece of meat which has been exposed to air for a while. The outside will be dark brown/gray. Yet when you cut into the meat, and expose an area which has not been in contact with the air, the color will be red.<br /><br />It is very common for women using birth control pills to have a "period" which looks more like dark motor oil sludge than bright red menstrual bleeding. The synthetic progesterone in the Pill creates a thinner lining inside the uterus. This creates a decreased amount of flow. This more scant flow will appear as a dark brown color, and thick consistency.<br /><br />Bottom line, BTB on hormonal methods of birth control is a nuisance side effect.. If your poor cycle control persists you should return to your GYN or clinic. Often a change in the brand, or formula, of birth control pill will fix the problem.<br /><br />Congrats on losing that 60 pounds despite MANY other health related stressors! You are to be lauded and we hope that the next six months will be better than the pasty six months.<br /><br />In Admiration,<br />Jane
dani3336 replied to Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP's response:
Dear Jane:
Thank you for the information. I did also receive blood tests for my thyroid and they too were normal. I will give it another month on these pills then follow-up with OB. Thank you again for the advice and support.
Take Care
Thank you for the information. I did also receive blood tests for my thyroid and they too were normal. I will give it another month on these pills then follow-up with OB. Thank you again for the advice and support.
Take Care
Report This| Share this:Period ProblemsDear Jane:<br /> Thank you for the information. I did also receive blood tests for my thyroid and they too were normal. I will give it another month on these pills then follow-up with OB. Thank you again for the advice and support.<br /> <br />Take Care
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