Really worried about my period

[blueandyellow10]

I’m really worried about what my period has looked like this month and just want some reassurance if anyone has had something similar?

It started on day 41 of my cycle (my cycles are usually 31-38 days) and it’s been 3 days of very light brown bleeding with clots and it’s just dry. No actual red bleeding or filling a pad, just a brown line on every pad and brown on wiping. No associated cramping and I’m on day 3 and still going.

My periods are usually light but red blood, I’ve had dark periods like this before but can’t remember as years ago.

background:

• I have PCOS
• Overweight, BMI 33 I think
• just started metformin 3 weeks ago

has anyone else had a similar experience? Much appreciated

Sorry just to make it clear the bleeding has been light, and the colour is dark brown

Have you done a pregnancy test?

@mrsneate ive not had sex

Are you pre menopausal age?

I'm 41 and my cycles are all over the place for about a year and more recently changed to very similar to this. 2/3 days of brown clots, then bright red for a day or so before it ends

i should have added! I’m 21 years old @mrsneate

pcos itself is a reason periods can be totally variable in cycle length & flow rate

It sounds like low progesterone. The lining is coming away early and slowly so blood oxidises and goes brown.

If you have PCOS and you’re on metformin you should also seriously consider a low carb diet. PCOS is basically diabetes of the ovaries and linked with insulin resistance.

@LMNT if my period is late, could it still be dark blood as you said it’s the lining coming away early?

Yes. You have PCOS which means that you don’t ovulate normally. This disrupts the downstream hormones and the rest of the cycle.

How was your PCOS diagnosed?

Sounds like your hormones were just a bit off-kilter this month and your womb lining just didn’t build up fully, so there isn’t much to come away.

I’m on a progesterone-only birth control pill, and all my periods are like this.

I wouldn’t worry about this as a one-off. If things don’t get back to normal next month, you could see your GP. But usually one or two atypical periods aren’t anything to worry about. No idea of it could be related to starting metformin, but it’s not uncommon for medication of various types to disrupt your cycle, along with a million other things like stress, viruses etc.

This 100% if you want to improve your cycle and curb your pcos symptoms you absolutely have to get healthy and lose weight. It’s very hard I know but it’s the only choice you have.

Thank you, I will try the low carb diet. I tried for a bit but ended up giving it up. Will give it a go again

@LMNT i had bloods done and GP and consultant both agreed it’s PCOS. No cysts present in my scans done in 2021 however

I would guess you haven't ovulated this month (irregular ovulation is obviously very common with PCOS) so you're just having a very light breakthrough bleed.

If it were me, I would keep a diary, and keep track of it. You can Google signs of ovulation - you will always have a "proper" period 12-14 days after ovulation, but you can have random bleeding at other times, especially if it's been a while since your last period. But if you're worried then of course see a GP.

Good advice about, but, do a pregnancy test

@GiraffeDoor thanks I’ll give that a go

@SteveBuscemisRheumyEye I haven’t had sex which is why I’m so unsure of what it is

How are you now OP? @10HailMarys