Prolonged and heavy period - what's going on?

[IlanaK]

The period I have currently been having has lasted so far for 7 days and has been heavy at the beginning and then moderate bleeding for the rest. I had a run up of three days of bad cramps before and the cramps have continued at a moderate level throughout. It shows no signs of stopping yet.

Normally, I get 2-3 days of heavy bleeding and then a couple of more days of very light bleeding.

I have no idea what is going on.

I am almost 35 and have two kids already, but did plan to have another. This is not a sign of menopause is it?

Help!

Think you need to consult a GP, IlanaK. If you've never had a period like this before, it might be worth checking it out. With regards to the menopause, I don't really know ... (haven't started mine yet), but could you find out whether your mothers/aunts, etc., had earlier menopauses? Sorry, not much help - but some, I hope.

It may be nothing IlanaK. This has happened to me occasionally. A friend suggested that for a few years before hand the body gets itself ready for the menopause...but I don't know.

Sometimes I think we just need a good clear out (that'll be my mother talking!)

Ok,I am now convincing myself that I have cancer. Maybe a trip to the GP would be a good idea, but what could they do?

Bumping as getting more worried by the minute!

IlanaK, what makes you think this is cancer? I doubt very much that it would manifest itself in the way you've described. Consult the GP to put your mind at rest! Could be a number of reasons for it. Are you feeling unduly stressed at the moment? Were you feeling unwell before your period started?

I have no reason to assume cancer - just stressing as have been putting off smear test for years and years so feeling guilty about that!

Seriously though, I am just worried as it is not showing any signs of stopping or letting up.

I am not feeling unwell in anyway other than cramps.

Try not to worry too much. I have had occasional heavy bleeding like you describe (It's called menhorrhagia when it's very heavy, or prolonged). For me, it seemed to co-incide with high stress levels.

Definitely check with your GP. Apart from anything else, it may ahve made you anaemic, and you may need some iron tablets. If it happens every month the GP can prescribe something to help 'lighten it' in the first few days.

Just to add a different slant - is there anyway you could have been pregnant? Unfortunately sometimes a miscarriage is simply a very heavy period. Are there any clots? It definitely warrants a trip to the GP to set your mind at rest. As others have said, sometimes you do just get heavy periods - it's supposd to be more common after you've had kids.

Your GP will be able to give you something to stop the bleeding, they are miracle pills after lengthy bleeding!