Periods - far too many of 'em!

[ArrietyClock]

Possibly should be in Miscarriage but...

Had a miscarriage in mid-May, miscarried most of it naturally, ERPC to tidying things up followed by antibiotics for an infection. Anyway, I expected my period to go AWOL for a while as that seems to be what happens to most people. What I've got instead is a 17/18 day cycle right from the outset. I get 9/10 days off and then another 7 or 8 days of bleeding. I know its early days and all that, but the fact that it is already so regular is concerning me, plus of course you don't make babies with a cycle that short.

I'm going to bend the ear of my GP, but can anyone cheer me up? All I can find is stories of people who had long cycles.

I was diagnosed with endometriosis 11 years ago due to heavy and painful periods. My sister was diagnosed 3 years ago due to frequent bleeding. My friend developed it in the months after giving birth to her twins. It's a much maligned and misunderstood disease where miscarriage, pain and frequent bleeding is common. It affects 1 in 10 women and it might be worth mentioning it to your GP. The only way to diagnose is by inserting a small camera into the abdomen (laparoscopy)
I was on hormone treatment to suppress ovulation so had no period for 8 years and stopped the pills when I got married in October, I was pregnant 3 days later so don't despair!!

I had cycles exactly like this, after surgery on my ovary. The gynaecologist I saw said that it can be either endometriosis or insufficent progesterone production.

Sorry about your miscarriage

Thanks gilly and rosa. It's good to have some ideas to go to the GP with. I realise that they aren't exactly experts in things gynae related - why should they be? - but mine is open to discussion so I can at least put some ideas to him for thought. I've just got to persuade him not to make me wait months for things to 'settle' because I have a feeling they won't, plus I'm too old to wait!

Rosa - may I ask? Do you know the prognosis if it's insufficient progesterone production? Can it be fixed? (Not that I'm jumping the gun here or anything?!)

Always best to get these things sorted. So sorry to hear of your miscarriage.
The average time for diagnosis of endo is still a massive 9 YEARS!! This is largely due to women being fobbed off by either a GP or a gynaecologist who specialises in other areas. I used to volunteer for Endo UK and have a wealth of info should you need it. The best way forward is to insist on a laparoscopy by a gynae surgeon who specialises or at least has an idea about endo, this way, even if you only have a tiny amount, it won't be missed or things like fibroids could be ruled out. Stress to your GP that you want to get things moving, most are happy to help but as you said, aren't experts and have some funny ideas re endo that really have no basis in fact!
Please get in touch with me if need be, I'm usually on the due in July thread every day and will be on a post natal thread as soon as I can coax baba out.
Good luck.

Thanks Gilly. Slightly (very!) appalled at your 9 year stats. I'll be well past it by then! Your offer of help is much appreciated and I'll get in touch should I find I'm going nowhere with the medics.

Hope your birth goes well - very exciting!

AC,

If it's insufficient progesterone production, the gynaecologist can give you whichever medication is most suitable. At the moment, I'm on a daily dose of Provera (not the same as Depo-Provera). After a few months of this, any hormone problems should be fixed.

I'd second Gilly's advice, in that you should ask your GP to get things moving as some (but not all) GPs can be dismissive of gynaecological problems.

Thanks. Good to hear the are potential fixes for these things.

Has anyone had the depo for to stop heavy bleeding?
I have had awful heavy periods lasting over 2 weeks for the last 2 years now and am at the end of my tether.
I have had the Mirena fitted twice,resulting in both coming out....
It did work though,just spotting every month...thought it was the answer to my problems.
I,m not quite ready for thermal ablation yet {I,m scared of GA} but I cant go on being anaemic and miserable all the time.My quality of life is shite at the moment,I am back to square one.
I,ve had all the tests ,laparoscopy,hyteroscopy,bloods etc and they havent found anything sinister other than my womb lining is thicker than normal and a few adhesions.
I have heard good and bad about the Depo,but am willing to give anything a try before I consider surgery.
I was fine on the pill {mood wise} but had to come off it because of my blood pressure...
Is the Depo safe for women with high BP?
I am not bothered about putting some extra weight on,I just want to stop bleeding!!
any help greatly appreciated

Oh,I forgot to say......I was also told I wasnt producing enough progesterone......have read an earlier thread and the Depo sounds just the job now.....
whats this Provera injection then? is it for the Menopause? I am sure I am starting with the very early symptoms.....I,m hot all the time {havent worn a jumper in 6 years!} have NO sex drive whatsoever ,tired all the time and itch all over my back,head and neck.
But,my periods are heavy....I thought your period got less with the menopause..
My doc says I,m way too young to be going through it....I,m 37