Question:
Anyone else experiencing heavy periods lasting for weeks?

For the last couple of months my periods have been extremely heavy, lasting for 18-21 days,always on time. I went to my Gyn. last week and he ordered a thyroid panel, CBC, and I had a Pap smear. Everything came back within normal limits. He stated that it was probably due to my weight loss, (140 lbs in 14 months), wreaking havoc with my hormones and that I'm no longer ovulating. He gave me an rx. for Provera-to take the first 10 days of the month. Anyone else out there with this annoyance? Thanks a lot.    — Angela S. (posted on August 17, 2002)

August 17, 2002
I didn't go to the gyno yet, but my surgeon told me that my hormones would be messed up for a long time after surgery. My first period after surgery lasted 2 days and was very light...then my next was was really heavy and SIX weeks long. Talk about misery. My last one, although a bit heavy for me, was normal. I think that based on your loss in such a quick time, I'd give yourself two years to fully adjust. I've lost 130 in 6.5 months and I have mood swings like you don't even know! lol My PCP told me that was normal since fat cells store hormones and when they "melt" they release these hormones. AHHH!! Good luck! lol
   — Paula Prichard

August 18, 2002
I had this happen about 10 years ago and it turned out there were pylops in my uterus. After a D&C everything was fine.
   — Ellen M.

August 18, 2002
hello Angela! I was treated for heavy irregular periods years ago with Depoprovera-----because i was told i was ovulating irregularly. I stayed on depo for 24 years and developed osteoporosis. Not one doctor told me to stop taking it over the years! I found out from my ob-gyn when i got diagnosed in 2000, that it was the depo that was responsible. i'm not saying that provera will do the same thing-----all i'm saying is make sure you are informed of all SIDE EFFECTS! make sure you only take it for the time needed ---- not an open-ended period of time. if i had known i would have stopped it. at least now the medication i started taking for the osteoporosis has helped build up my bones again. On second thought, I might ask for a second opinion----maybe you need a simple d & c. I had 3 d & c's over a 2 year period before i started taking the depoprovera. I guess I should be grateful to be going thru menopause! lol Good Luck!
   — Adele F.

August 19, 2002
I had this happen to me (I'm pre-op though) and my period lasted for 3 months. My GYN said that it was due to me being anemic but you said your CBC came back within normal range. She was contemplating doing a D&C but wanted to give estrogen a try. When that didn't work she wanted to try birth control pills which regulated my periods eventually and no D&C was required. When my periods finally did become normal I stopped the pill due to the risks involved in prolonged use. Good luck to you and congrats on your loss!! : )
   — Stephanie S.