Heavy Cycle for Three Weeks

Updated on September 17, 2008
T.E. asks from Arlington, TX
17 answers

Hi from China! I'm in China on a three week trip adopting my son Daniel. I am usually very regular, I start every month on the same day (give or take a day) and always finish in 6 days. This month I started my cycle on Aug 29, a couple days early. The problem is its Sept. 16 and I still have a heavy flow. That means I’ve been bleeding heavily for 18 days. I’m starting to feel a little weak and light headed at times. Because I'm in China I can't contact my doctor so I'm calling on my local network for some assurance that I'm ok, and any advice you might have. The trip has been very stressful, so perhaps that would play a part. In case it matters, I just turned 40 this August. I appreciate your assurance.

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K.P.

answers from Dallas on

I realize that you probably do not want to go to a doctor in China, but if you've been bleeding that heavily for 18 days then you probably should - or find a Chinese herbalist. They are really good, although a Western practitioner would frown on it, they've been keeping the Chinese healthy for several millenia.............

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K.E.

answers from Dallas on

I think as SOON as you can you need to get to the doctor. Bleeding for that period of time and heavily can be dangerous. Please see a doctor soon.

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C.N.

answers from Dallas on

Hello!
I am an expert at this and lost half my blood!
Here's what helps:
Bed by 10, late night interfers with hormones,MANDATORY!
Rest! Mandatory!
Eat fresh fruit and vegetables
No desserts, sugars,chocolate, sweets, breads, etc.
Drink lots of water
Eat fish
Do not sit for long periods of time( example on computer)
Mandatory!
Exercise Mandatory!
Wear Depends( helps with management)
Do not eat pre packaged food or fast food
Do not eat soy or protein bars( have lots of soy)
Stay away from plastics,
Drink from glass , not plastic cups
Try a Chinese herb doctor, some herbs help!
This is especially important for your next period so that you do not have another episode.
I had problems for 2 years so I can totally relate; I got over it with healthy approach.
Don quai and black cohash did not help me.
No cokes or sodas, tea, or coffee ,only distilled water or spring water.
PROGESTERONE CREAM helped me.(only used Dr. Helen Pensanti, MD, from California( ordered)
Used Dr. Helen's adrenal supplements.
Fish oil 1000 mgs a day helps with my stressnow( I didn't know about it then, would have to experiment, think that it would help you know, unknown. I would take it.
May take daily vitamins and iron to help with weakness,
Protein may help with weakness
MUST have hormone free dairy*( Braums can help)
Better to do without dairy for now.
Do not panic! You can get over this! I did!
I bleed for 3 weeks straight, a bummer , but I got over it.
After applying above healty options, I decreased blood problem to manageable, never so bad. Gradually got over it and completely over it now. Took about 2 years. Never did 3 weeks again. Took numerous tests, all good, conventional doctors could not help.
Congrats on adoption! What a blessing!
What a fantastic opportunity to bless a child and yourself!
Children are " always " the right choice!!!!!

BLessings!
C. N
PS I have visited Gateway Church at Southlake and know
Pressnells , Know of Melanie Bailey(from Sonlight),
know Lee family (from DE), know of Groves( my daughter knows them), others.
There is a doctor in Irving ( Michael, PA at Tenea Health)
that will do a saliva hormone test and help with hormones).
Books to read:
by MD doctors;
DR. LEE
Dr. Helen Pensanti Md, California, web site.
silvercreeklabs. website for general health Dr. nutritionist, Fort Worth area,
does phone consulatations.
Regular doctors and gynecologists did not help. Only suggested hysterectomy. When you are 40, your natural progesterone levels automatically drop. Progesterone is the good hormone that regulates weight, stress, health etc.
I would NOT take synthetic hormones as they DO cause cancer.
Sugar feeds cancer and bad health.
Keep us posted!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

Traveling, new time zones,and jet lag can effect your menstrual cycle. Also stress can effect your menstrual cycle. I agree w/ the post that stated to increase your iron intake, red meat, spinach, etc but I bet you could find an iron supplement somewhere in China. I would ask. Should this persist, I would get a phone card and call your doc. Tell the office you are in China and cannot wait for a call back. I am like clockwork and moved to LA from the east coast and didn't have a period for 3.5 months!

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P.M.

answers from Dallas on

There are lots of reasons for this. Could be you are perimenopausal. I am usually like clockwork as well, but now sometimes I have a long one, short one and a long time in between. I would see a dr in china. If you really don't want to, see if you can find some slow fe..it is an over the counter iron supplement. I used to have to take it for my long periods when I was a teen. Eat the proper foods if you can....CAll your dr if you can as...
Congrats on the new addition...pray all goes well.

Take Care and God Bless!

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

Hi T.,
First Congratulations!!! Second, any stressful events can cause longer periods or heavy flow. It sounds like from the weakness and being light headed that you may be getting anemic or a low red blood count. I use 1 to 2 tablespoons of black strap molasses daily to rebuild red blood cells. I will put 1 spoonful on oatmeal, pancakes, french taost, etc in the morning. In the evening I either put it on a piece of toast or eat it with peanut butter or just eat it straight. It works faster than anything else I have ever tried including iron supplements. I hope this helps. If the period does not stop before you return I would check in with your doctor. Have a safe trip home.
J. Smith - Health Coach ____@____.com

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E.C.

answers from Dallas on

This happened to me around Christmas time last year. Mine lasted two and a half weeks. It turned out to be "abnormal uterine bleeding" which is a catch-all term used for an abnormally long period, after more serious possible causes are ruled out. I was 40 then and I think it was just a hormonal thing. It hasn't happened since then. The most important thing is to make sure you are getting iron so that you don't become dangerously anemic. That means lots of fresh greens like spinach or leaf lettuce, etc. Red meat is an excellent source of iron too if you eat red meat. So are carrots and raisins. If you can find the product Slow FE in China that would be excellent. I would be very careful of Chinese meds though since many have been tainted lately. If you can't obtain that product then just make sure you eat lots of iron-rich foods until you can see an american doctor. Look for signs of anemia like white-ish gums and nail beds. If you already have those, you really should see a doctor there. The "bad period" itself is probably just a hormone fluctuation but anemia can be dangerous if it goes on for too long. Even if the flow stops, please get checked when you get home to be safe. Take care of yourself. Sending prayers and good wishes for you and your new addition.
All the best,
E.

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C.W.

answers from Dallas on

Hi T.!
I would suggest you start getting some iron in asap. The heavy bleeding is causing you to become anemic. Also, I would think that the long period is because of environment change. I'm sure you will be okay until you get back then you can go see your own doctor.
Congrats on you adoption! Best wishes to you and you new family!
C.

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J.K.

answers from Dallas on

Hello T..

If you were not anemic before this long cycle, there is a good chance you are now. Too little iron can actually cause long cycles.

You do need a good multivitamin/mineral supplement with iron, of course. (www.OurHabits.com) Take every day!

Take care of your health and it will take care of you.

Take care.

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B.F.

answers from Dallas on

You are probably going to be ok for the short time you are there but get some iron in to you soon. I don't just mean the food way..you need iron supliments. Surely in China they have some there too. You are prob. anemic. The bleeding could be anything but most likely a fibroid or some tricky hormore things.
Good luck and may God bless you with the little boy!
B.

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S.W.

answers from Dallas on

My advice to you is to see a doctor as soon as you get home. If you're feeling weak, you're probably anemic - try getting more iron in your diet while you're in China, if you can. Otherwise, if you think you can't wait any longer, contact the US embassy. They can help you get medical attention. (I'm not a doctor or nurse, so this is just what I would do if I were you.)

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T.M.

answers from Dallas on

hmm... how long have you been in China? Environment can change your body and it could just be the different country and climate. For example when i was in marine corps bootcamp i never had my period at all for the entire 3 months i was there. And then there were other girls who had their period the entire time.

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M.S.

answers from Dallas on

Can you get some iron supplements where you are?
God bless you!
M. alice

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N.S.

answers from Dallas on

I would try to contact your doctor immediately and let him know what is going on. You could also go to the emergency room and let them check you out. There has to be something going on if you are normally six days and it's been eighteen. You don't want to wait to long to talk to a doctor.

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K.M.

answers from Dallas on

Hi T.. I would definitely try to see a Dr if you can. If you are bleeding heavily and feeling light headed and weak, you could be hemorrhaging. This same thing happened to me. I usually had heavy periods that lasted 6 or 7 days, but one of them lasted longer and I bled heavier. Like you, I was week, light headed and I also passed out several times. I ended up in the hospital having blood transfusions. It could definitely be the stress of the time, but don't take any chances. Especially with the new expansion to your family.

Congratulations on your new addition.

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J.L.

answers from Dallas on

All I can say is wow!!!! I would get to a Dr. in China ASAP. Bleeding heavy that long is not good. I would be concerned about dangerously low iron levels. You might even need a blood transfusion if it has been that heavy and you are dizzy and light headed. I am sorry to scare you but you really need to seek medical advise and take care of yourself. Drink, drink, drink.

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R.J.

answers from Dallas on

hi,

It could be just an irregular cycle, that happpens sometimes for no reason. It could also ne fibriods, benign tumors. You could also have been pregnant and you are having a miscarrige, usually very heavy, foul smell, lots of clots, strange color at times. Although you are in China, I would still try and call your doctor. Don't know if this helped.
R.

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