extended menstrual cycle-confused? - Women's Health Message Board

bullun · 10-17-2004, 05:44 PM

For the past 4 months I've experienced a change in my menstrual cycle. 4 months ago, when my cycle would stat, it would begin with dark brown spotting for roughly 2 days, it would then proceed to a full 4-5days of menstraul cycle beginning the 4th or 5th day it ends with brown spotting trailing off. Causing my cycle to run 7-9 days. It has been consistently like this for 4 months now.

My cylce always ended this way, but was only 5 days long. I've brought this up with my doctor and she didn't seem to think much of it. I am not on birth control, and am not pregnant (been tested). I have not experienced stress as being the cause, as nothing traumatic has occured in my life, nor would it remain the same for 4 months.

Has anyone else had a similar change in cycle? Does anyone have any ideas on this? Any cause for alarm?

Thanks!

Dianek · 10-17-2004, 06:05 PM

If you're over 30, you could be experiencing some very minor changes due to perimenopause. Don't worry, you probably have a lot of years left of periods. My periods started changing after I had my second baby at 32 and I'm still going strong, month to month at 49.

antoinettev3 · 10-17-2004, 07:49 PM

I went through the exact same thing 5 years ago when I was 37. I decided to go back on the pill because 9 day periods were just too much and I refused to put up with them. I also suffer migraines during my periods so the longer they are the more headaches I get. On the pill my periods are only a few days long and very light, much more manageable.

Antoinette

bullun · 10-18-2004, 06:52 AM

I'm 25, so I really hope I'm not going into that THIS early.

Thank you though for the related experiences, it calms any need for me to worry.

I do intend to go back on birth control to reduce the length of the cycle. 9 days has gotten old real fast!

Thanks ladies!
Dana

mperrin · 10-18-2004, 10:18 PM

You have experienced what I usually deal with now on a monthly basis, but I am a bit older too. We all go thru changes in cycles throughout our childbearing years. Just keep an eye on it and report anything unusual to your doctor. I had cycles that usually lasted 10-12 days with spotting the last 3-4 days. Yuk! There were a few reasons for it in which I won't go into, but at times my period got really heavy. Keep an eye on that. I was about 28 when I experienced heavy, heavy and long periods for the first time in my life (unfortunately long cycles became the norm by 35). I dealt with it for several months, but finally one month my period, while not severe lasted until the D&C that we scheduled (about 16 days long). In the end, the problem occured because I wasn't ovulating! If my husband and I knew that for sure, we may have had a lot more fun

! Just kidding--we had two small children at the time. Funny thing is--the D&C cleared everything out and made very fertile ground. We welcomed our third the following winter! Oh, I babbled again!

I would keep an eye on it and if you are uncomfortable with what is going on--make an appointment with your doctor. Take care~~M