help! long cycle, unusually long periods ?

[lillykat]

Hi, I don't know where else to put this or where else to go.

We started trying to conceive a few years ago without any luck. We had blood tests to check hormone levels, sperm counts, hysteriography to check my tubes, ultrasounds. They seemed more concerned in checking my hormone levels and tubes than anything else, but they did say that my womb lining seems to be normal every month. They found nothing wrong with me nor my partner, except that I may have mild pcos.

We after discussing it decided to try IVF. I'm 21 but the doctors weren't concerned with this, so we went through with it. I responded well to treatment and produced a high ammount of good quality eggs.

everything went fine apart from the dr doing the embryo transfer saying he had a little difficulty doing the transfer, but then our next treatment (we waited 1 cycle - so 1 month after finding out the first ivf diddn't work) was put on hold because my hormones weren't producing at an adequet rate. we decided after that not to continue as i felt i needed a rest from it all.

I had a normal period after failing with the ivf, but the second period date came and went - I missed it by a month and was only able to start again with provera.

Then my periods which although had been irregular in the past and heavy started a weird cycle, some months i'd miss one completely, others i'd have extremely painful long periods, sometimes it was just light for 1 or 2 days.

I grew used to that, but the recent changes are bugging me and slightly scaring me. The thing is, for the past 2 cycles, they are unsusually long cycles and unusually long bleeds. My last cycle bleed lasted 7 days and was heavy which wasn't too bad, but it was a 6 week cycle. My cycles are usually about 30 days and now they are 41 days.

This cycle was a 6 week cycle, but the thing that is scaring me is that I bled lightly for the first 2 days and then I started bleeding heavily - and I haven't stopped, in fact the last 3 days my period has become heavy and extremely uncomfortable whereas the first few days were relatively pain free. sometimes and this will sound horrible - it just starts pouring out of me and i feel cringe like pains shooting in my abdomen. I'm on day 12 now of my period of non stop bleeding. That's a long-shot from my usual 5-7 days and it's not normal I know to have more than 4 days in a row of extreme bleeding, I have a feeling i've lost at least 3 X the normal ammount of blood to be lost during a period.

I've been to numerous doctors and they've all sugested the same thing "go on the pill", but I have a bad reaction to the pill and i'm scared that if i do although i'm not ttc currently that it may really mess my chances of trying later in life.

The reason i'm writing this is to get advice and to see if anyone else has experienced this, also to find out if it could have been caused by the ivf - all the hormones. Does anyone have any idea what the problem may be? the doctors aren't being helpful and i really have been to a lot of them in the past, it's just a waste of money.

thanks.

lilly

[Jenn]

Lily,
My first thought after reading your post was maybe your cycle issues were because of PCOS but you said they checked your hormones already? What were your results? You may have a slight case of PCOS which will cause delayed periods/crazy cycles. However hearing about what your af's are like now is kind of strange. It does sound like you are bleeding a lot more than usual. Have you ever had an exploratory laparscopy?? I know they've done u/s's, checked your tubes, done blood work but have they actually gone in and looked around?? Your heavy cycles could be due from a wide range of things such as fibroids or endometriosis....
Naturally i'm guessing but i think if your drs aren't acting very concerned it may be time to find a new one who will listen to your concerns and take a look around. If you say it's not normal for you than it's probably not!! Dr's are notorious for suggesting the pill when it comes to irregular or heavy cycles....i wish they would actually try to figure out WHAT is causing it other than trying to stop it.
Good luck to you and i hope you find some answers and relief soon.
,
Jenn

[Lauren2005]

Yes, let me echo the idea that you need an exploratory lap. You may have endometriosis. Also, please talk to your RE if you haven't already about this ongoing bleeding. Among other things, you may become anemic (spelling?) or there could be a very serious problem in there that needs attention right way.

Be sure to visit the endometriosis bulletin boards. Lots of information there.

Good luck to you!

Lauren