To be getting very worried about sister's unusual periods?

[extremepie]

My sister has always had a host of medical issues, none very huge or major but enough so that she's never really totally 100% well.

She's also always had extremely erratic periods, I did too when I had periods but hers are worse, very painful and weird cycle lengths. She told me recently that she has been bleeding constantly, albeit lightly, for the past 5 weeks or so! She has a history of having a period, then 2 weeks no period, then bleeding again and similarly strange patterns of bleeding.

I am becoming increasingly worried about her, have suggested in the past going on the pill to regulate her cycle, which she did but kept forgetting to take it so she stopped. She didn't have a very good reaction to the hormones in it either (neither did I tbf) so is not keen to go on the injection/implant etc.

She's very squeamish about people seeing/touching her in that 'intimate' area, even her boyfriend to a certain extent so she is really really reluctant to go to the doctor but I am just getting really concerned that this has gone on so long and worried that it is something more sinister than needs to be checked out - I myself went for my first smear last year (at 27) after putting it off due to embarrassment and had an abnormal result, needed a colposcopy etc to deal with it so I really want her to get it checked out!

Aibu to worry? Should I just leave her to deal with it on her own terms or should I beg and plead with her to get it checked?

[BuntyCollocks]

Beg and plead, op. Not worth the risk of there being something wrong.

[Meow75]

Two words - JADE GOODY.

[Meow75]

I may have thought she was a waste of space as a "Sleb", but the fact is inescapable. She's dead.

[extremepie]

That's my feeling Bunty, I don't want to bang on about it as I know she's nervous but I just can't bear the idea of anything happeningto her, especially if it might be preventable/treatable. She's my sister and my best friend :(

Will they do a smear under these circumstances? She is 22.

[extremepie]

I was the idea that I was the same age as her when she died last year that finally pushed me to do it Meow :)

[RevoltingPeasant]

OP I believe they will not do smears under 25, sadly, even where there are worrying symptoms. Ask but be prepared for no.

[extremepie]

Really? They still won't do it even if there are problems? What will they do?

[CMOTDibbler]

routine smears are not done under 25, but when someone has issues, they will be done if the gynaecologist thinks it necessary.

OP, your sister needs to woman up and go and see a Dr. It may be a hormone issue, or something else - but it needs looking at and sorting. Sticking your head in the sand never makes anything better

[OurMiracle1106]

It sounds like me. I have poly cystic ovary syndrome. I was in a lot of pain and yes the investigations aren't pleasant but it could be endometriosis as well. I now have an implant and though didn't get on with the pill it's great. I had it replaced last year and I haven't bled whilst being on it and I am no longer in much pain.

Bleeding for 5 weeks could lead her to become anemic too so she may need her iron checked. And that can also cause irregular periods tbh.

I was scared stupid when I went for my investigations (aged 18) but at least they can prescribe medication to help and at least I wasn't worried about what could be wrong

[misstiredbuthappy]

Sounds like what my periods were like, im on the pill seems to help alot. Before I went on the pill though I had a scan and was told I had a cyst on my ovary that could possibly be causing the problem.

I live in wales here routine smears are done every 3 years when you turn 19. My first smear came back abnormal so was tested again and evrythinks fine.

Tell her to go the docs op she will get a scan even if a smear isnt offerd.

[extremepie]

I'm fairly sure she is anaemic aside from anything else, she was saying only yesterday that she is constantly tired all the time and has no energy :(

I suggested having a coil to her, I know they arent for everyone but I have had one for 6 years and they sorted my period problems right out, havent had one since! But she is very very reluctant to see them about any kind of gynaecological problem despite my assurance and offer of hand holding :(

I will commence begging!

[vrtra]

If she goes to a specialist sexual health clinic they will give her a smear regardless of age. Try googling for one nearby

[joanofarchitrave]

I was going to say it could be PCOS as well. In fact it could be a lot of things, many of them quite mild or easy to treat. She really does need to see a doctor though.

[Xcountry]

I would be looking down the PCOS route first. it sounds more like this from the symptoms you describe too.

[PassTheCakeitsbeenatough1]

Being so young of course she is 'shy' about these things, it's not until you are older that you realise how much more important your health is when compared to a few uncomfortable minutes of being checked out.

Maybe speak to her about what she will do when smears become routine for her once she gets to 25, she sounds like she's put her head right in the sand but she's playing roulette with her health and she needs a bit of gently persuasion to see that being shy about these things is very immature even though we all cringe at the thought of it.

I know your, and her, first thought will be the C word but this is unlikely when you think of all the other less serious issues it might be. Maybe you could discuss some of the possibilities with her so that she's not so focused on a grim diagnosis? Obviously, it's always a risk but at least if she can think positively then that might make her more likely to be checked out soon.

I hope you manage to persuade her soon, and I hope that it's something that can be easily sorted for her.

[Meow75]

I was diagnosed with PCOS at 18, started taking the pill. Had hellish periods. Came off the pill when I was about 23/4 which stopped my periods

BRILLIANT - but even better, 6 years ago, I had my first implant. 2nd one comes to the end of it's life in August. Would like to be sterilised but reckon dr will encourage me to stick with implant. I will be 39 in Oct.

[PrincessBabyCat]

They have a smaller speculums than the normal size she can request if the instruments bug her. I don't blame her. I had to get an internal ultrasound to check out issues going on with me. Turned out to be nothing and then disappeared one day and I was back to normal, but it's good to get peace of mind.

Depo shot stopped my periods completely, and it's very quick and easy. But I'd get it checked first before trying to treat the symptoms instead of the problem.

[Cardinal]

They will do smears with worrying symptoms. My daughter had one 2 years ago at 17. They suggested it too. Ask. Keep asking.

[Soggysandpit]

The media always get this wrong, a smear is a screening test for people with no symptoms. Your sister is having symptoms, she needs to see a dr to have a history taken, be examined and further investigations done which may or may not include a smear. Bleeding after sex is a key symptom for cervical cancer, irregular bleeding can also be but less likely but in any case she needs to be seen.