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I'm a 23-year old whose periods are infrequent (i.e. once every other month or every three months) and range from 4-10 days on average, as they have always been. I've EDNOS, depression and PTSD, as well as a history of anemia (I can't even give blood/have over a certain amount drawn in a week) and ovarian cysts (one sent me to the ER). I took birth control in my early 20s, but I'm allergic to all birth control because of the lactose and yeast in them (life-threatening yeast & dairy allergies, plus lactose intolerant).
It acted like it was going to end a few days ago, but now it's back as if I'm just now getting it again. I've never had sex, thus I've never been pregnant. I recently had a really bad bout of not eating and went from weighing 139 to 105 lbs (in less than a week and a half) about two weeks before my period came, and the week before it came I felt it coming. I've also had a lot of stress.
Could this be what caused it? Also, is there anything I can first try that's natural-like in reducing it? The flow's not super heavy, but it's getting annoying.
As an Aspie who has allergies to almost everything, I'm rarely taken seriously at the doctor's office, and I'm often accused of resisting treatment because I explain why I can't do birth control. Thus, I'm wondering if there is something I can try first. They're usually long, but hitting the fourteen-day mark feels odd. Could de-stressing help any? Or is this where the harm of an eating disorder comes in? I'm getting treatment for it - I just slip sometimes - and I'm trying to eat regularly and healthy again, it just takes a bit to get back on that.
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Hi janedarling,
Glad I could help! Typically spotting is before or after your menstrual cycle. It is bleeding that is not as strong as your normal period and that comes and goes.
It sounds like your spotting is lasting a really long time though. I would advise visiting your doctor, despite not necessarily wanting to. You don't want the spotting to continue and have a lot of blood loss. Please keep me updated!
November 5, 2014 - 6:44pmThis Comment
Hello janedarling,
Thank you for sharing your question with the EmpowHER community! Having such a long period can be very frustrating to deal with.
Based on what you have said, I think the major change in your menstrual cycle is definitely from the combination of both stress and the eating disorder. Stress and such a drastic loss in weight (especially in such a short period of time) can affect your hormones and menstrual cycle flow.
Despite the difficult of visiting a doctor, it's always a good idea to visit one to get their opinion on the issue. They will be able to give the best advice on how to get your period back to normal.
However, I believe destressing would be a great way to get your period back on track. Also, getting your weight back to normal by eating more regularly can also help. Some ways you can reduce your stress include:
If your stress reaches a point where it seems like anxiety and you can't get rid of it, I suggest visiting a professional therapist or counselor. That could be very helpful to reducing stress in life if you don't have any luck doing it on your own.
I hope this has helped. Please keep me updated! :)
Best,
November 1, 2014 - 3:04pmErin
This Comment
Hi Erin, thanks!
I've found relaxing has helped... now, I only bleed for a few hours at most... It goes away after showering at night (and since I work from home, I'm still moving around, so... it can't be a gravity thing?) and stays gone when I'm sleeping until about an hour after I wake, when I go to stretch and dance (because I'm a dancer, and that's the best exercise method I've found). I've also discovered staying hydrated really helps. I drink a lot of water already, but I upped that a little bit, and it's getting lighter and only lasting for around six-twelve hours maximum.
Is this what "spotting" is?
November 4, 2014 - 5:16pmThis Comment