OpenHealth Q&A

Experiencing Extended Bleeding: Seeking Guidance on My Situation

Greetings! I'm reaching out in hopes that a medical professional, particularly a doctor or gynecologist, can shed some light on my current health issue or suggest what steps I should take next. I’ve been experiencing unusual bleeding that has persisted for almost 7 weeks now. After visiting my primary care physician, I underwent a transvaginal ultrasound and a blood test during the sixth week. Unfortunately, they advised me to take ibuprofen and couldn’t provide a clear diagnosis. Here’s the detailed background on my situation: I’m a 28-year-old woman. In May, I encountered a menstrual cycle that was not only late by about a week but also much shorter and lighter than what I typically experience. Normally, my periods last a full week, but that month it only lasted around 4 days with significantly less flow than I’m accustomed to, leaning more towards a moderate to light discharge. Then, in June, my period didn’t arrive at all. During that time, I faced symptoms such as faintness, overwhelming tiredness, nausea, and a significant aversion to food. This felt reminiscent of my pregnancy symptoms from four years ago. I experienced sudden hot flashes, where my face would feel intensely hot only to be followed by chills. At one point, I thought I might be pregnant again, but a home pregnancy test taken in the early days of July came back negative. My bleeding commenced around July 13, and now it’s August 25 as I'm writing this. Initially, the bleeding was light, showing only faint pink coloration on toilet paper for the first two days, followed by brown discharge for another two days. However, I soon started passing sizable clots, which is unusual for me. The clots were quite large—larger than a quarter—and appeared frequently, whether in pads, the toilet, or even while showering. They were thick, dark red, and had a jelly-like consistency, sometimes stringy, though not consistently. The flow has been variable, not maintaining a consistent level each day, yet I’ve been bleeding daily, which is atypical for me as I usually have a heavier flow. At times, I’ve experienced intense pain preceding a heavier flow, resembling severe cramps that radiated down to my knees, followed by the expulsion of clots and a feeling of pressure. I have also experienced difficulty regulating my body temperature, including hot flashes and general weakness. Throughout these past weeks, I’ve only fully saturated a pad a couple of times within an hour, but I haven’t been able to access urgent care during those moments. During week 5, I revisited my primary care provider and underwent a follow-up transvaginal ultrasound and blood test in week 6. I received the results this morning—there appeared to be no abnormalities, and I was instructed to take ibuprofen and schedule a pap smear. I'm turning to this community as this situation doesn’t feel normal for me. Given my usual menstrual patterns, I’m concerned about the prolonged duration of this bleeding. It certainly does not align with any regular cycle I’ve had before, especially since I’m having consistent difficulty managing the bleeding, which is causing numerous accidents during my work hours. Any insights or advice on what might be happening would be appreciated. I also had unprotected intercourse during late April and early May but continue to test negative for pregnancy both at home and in a clinic visit in mid-August while already bleeding. I could really use some assistance here; it’s gotten to the point where my bedding is a complete mess! 😂

Answers (1)

8/25/2025, 9:12:58 PM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you’re going through a difficult time with your prolonged and unusual bleeding, and I completely empathize with your concerns. Unexplained bleeding over several weeks can be unsettling, but you're taking the right steps by seeking advice and having medical assessments done.

Key Points

• Extended bleeding and passing of large clots are not typical and warrant further investigation.
• While initial tests showed no abnormalities, the persistence of your symptoms indicates that more information is needed.

Explanation

Your history of irregular periods, symptoms resembling pregnancy, and now the extended bleeding with clots indicates that there might be an underlying issue that hasn’t yet been identified. Conditions like hormonal imbalances, uterine fibroids, polyps, or even endometriosis can lead to irregular bleeding and clotting.

The flu-like symptoms and faintness may also signal that your body is reacting to this abnormal bleeding. Ongoing bleeding can lead to anemia (low iron levels) and may explain your tiredness and weakness.

Next Steps

1. Track Your Symptoms: Continue noting your bleeding patterns, including the amount, any clots, associated pain levels, and other symptoms like dizziness or fatigue. This information will be invaluable for your healthcare provider.

2. Consult a Gynecologist: Given the persistence of your symptoms, it is crucial to see a gynecologist as soon as you can. They can perform a more thorough evaluation, which might include additional imaging, tests for clotting disorders, or a biopsy if necessary.

3. Manage Pain and Discomfort: While you await further appointments, use ibuprofen as advised to help manage cramps and discomfort. Ensure you’re staying hydrated and maintain a healthy diet to support your body.

4. Consider Emergency Care: If you experience severe symptoms such as extremely heavy bleeding (soaking through pads in an hour), dizziness, fainting, or severe pain, seek immediate medical attention. These could indicate more serious issues.

5. Be Mindful of Mental Health: Coping with long-term health issues can be draining. Talk to friends or family about your feelings, or consider seeking support from a mental health professional if needed.

Your patience and diligence in tracking your symptoms and seeking care are commendable. I hope you feel better soon, and I'll be here if you have more questions or need further guidance.