Persistent Heavy Bleeding & Severe Cramps: What Could It Be?

Question
Hello, I am 30yo and have always had regular periods my whole life. I have had five pregnancies, and one miscarriage. If I ever had my period even one day late, I was pregnant. I went on birth control about a year and a half ago. This also kept my periods very regular. They had gone from heavy to very light, with only brownish discharge after about one year. In May I got my period and it never ended. I had it for 33 days straight and severe cramps, clots and pain. I went to the er many times where they did an ultrasound and found the lining was stil very thick and sent me to my ob/gyn. He prescribes provera, which after taking a large dosage still did not stop the bleeding. He did a d and c and histeroscopy to see if he could find any problems. He found that I had one fibroid, small about 2cm, and removed it. Since that time I have not had any period. I have done pregnancy tests and they came out all negative. He told me it could be the pill, but its unusual since I have been on the pill and always had a period. He did an ultrasound in July and said the lining was normal size and I should get my period within a month or so. I still have not had a period. I stopped the pill a little over a month ago, immediatly I had very light spotting for a day or two, and that was it. Still no period. My doctor still doesnt seem to have any answers, but I feel he is possibly missing something. Any additional thoughts or reasons for this??
thank you.


Answer
Dear Mona,

Hormones, particularly our female hormones, are a really tricky and delicate thing. Our bodies are very sensitive to any imbalance of them. And when there is the slightest imbalance, it can affect all sorts of things. Typically the most evident physical symptom we note is an alteration in our menses. Many times when women stop or start taking any type of hormonal birth control, they do experience a bit of menstrual irregularity.

Your situation my have been complicated by the fibroid, which can also affect menstrual cycles, but there are many various causes for amenorrhea (absence of periods). Others can be:
-Hormonal imbalances, which cause fluctuating levels of the hormones needed to support menstruation
-Emotional or physical stress / Depression
-Rapid weight loss or gain
-Change in diet
-Low body weight
-Obesity
-Frequent or strenuous exercise
-Cysts or tumors in the ovaries
-Thyroid or Pituitary dysfunction
-Certain medications or drug use
-Menopause OR Premature ovarian failure (menopause before age 40)
-Occasionally stopping birth control pills

This is nothing I would be overly concerned about at your age and with your gestational history. But if you are so inclined, you can inquire as to further hormonal testing with your doctor.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda