Ok, if you are newly diagnosed, and have been skipping periods, it is likely that you have built up a thick uterine lining and are just sloughing it off. Here are some guidelines to help you track when bleeding is considered excessive. Just because it is considered excessive for one woman, however, doesn't mean that your doctor won't tell you it's normal for you... especially if the situation I mentioned above has occurred.
- Menstrual flow that soaks through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours
- The need to use double sanitary protection to control your menstrual flow
- The need to change sanitary protection during the night
- Menstrual periods lasting longer than seven days
- Menstrual flow that includes large blood clots
- Heavy menstrual flow that interferes with your regular lifestyle
- Constant pain in your lower abdomen during menstrual periods
- Tiredness, fatigue or shortness of breath (symptoms of anemia)
As a side note, I have been experiencing a period from hell this week myself. Large, golf-ball sized clots (sorry if TMI) and when I called my doctor he told me not to worry, that it was my body getting rid of a built up lining. If I saw this again next month, he would agree to see me to make sure there wasn't a problem. Keep some Midol handy, chocolate, a romance novel, and a carbonated beverage of some sort and you'll get through it! Good luCK!