PCOS and Heavy Bleeding

Hello ladies,

I need help for a really dear friend. She doesn't have insurance and so can't see a doctor at the moment. She has PCOS and typically doesn't bleed. However, from August through December she bled monthly, heavily but regular. However, it stopped again and nothing since then.

In her research so far, she found out that the heavy bleeding was a sort of self-cleaning of uterine lining. So the question and I guess the confusion is that does it mean that since she's stopped bleeding again, that her insides have cleaned itself out of the 'gunk' for lack of a better word that was in there or does this mean something else entirely? I should also mention that while she still had insurance she had a Diagnostic D & C in May of 07. Also, she's taken 3 pregnancy tests and all BFNs, so we don't think it's that.

TIA.

Re: PCOS and Heavy Bleeding

This is pretty much exactly what happened to me. I went for literally 6 months without AF, and then I bled all summer. Not fun at all, but I was told the same thing--I think it needs to "purge" because it can actually get full.

Re: PCOS and Heavy Bleeding

I never had anything like that, but her theory seems to make sense. IF she can't see a doctor, maybe she can try vitex? That seems to work for some people, so does soy.

Re: PCOS and Heavy Bleeding

HI there, let me help. Basically here is how the body works.

Each month we start our cycle with the endometrial lining shedding itself..what is this? The endometrial lining builds up to support a pregnancy. If a pregnancy does not occur, it sheds, hence a menstrual period.

With PCOS we can go months without a period because there is an excess of hormones and the body doesnt adequately prepare itself for the cycle. There are different forms of PCOS. For myself, i do not have all the classic symptoms as i am not too overweight nor am i insulin resistant.
So, the cycle can go on and on etc...
As far as cleaning the body out, no that is not what it is doing. Truthfully, you dont need to get a period every month. Most women prefer it as a friendly reminder of being or not being pregnant but health wise, it is not necessary. Now that being said, it is not healthy to go too long without one either as the lining does build up and there tends to be more estrogen present in the body. Keep in mind, birth controls are in the form of one period every 3 months and one period a year...you have to get a period. But, it does not have to be every month. Now, with PCOS present, many health factors can be at play and that is why it is good to be evaluated and treated by a physician. Many women present with insulin resistance(leads to type 2 diabetes) and cholesterol issues. A pattern of high triglycerides is seen along with Low HDL(good cholesterol) so watching the diet and exercise are really important. The more weight we gain, the tougher it can be on the body. In the meantime, make sure you are keeping track of when you get your periods. If it goes more than 6 months without one, it is a good idea to see a MD. Birthcontrol can regulate you a little so when you come off, sometimes it can take about 6 months before the typical long cycles come back. In addition, certain diabetic drugs can help regulate the cycle while treating insulin resisitance. I hope i helped!

Re: PCOS and Heavy Bleeding

BTW, as far as the heavy periods go, it could be just the excess build up. The natural hormones are totally out of wack. For me, i have endometriosis so this has been a common side effect. Crappy painful icky periods.

Re: PCOS and Heavy Bleeding

Posted by MrsRivera

This is pretty much exactly what happened to me. I went for literally 6 months without AF, and then I bled all summer. Not fun at all, but I was told the same thing--I think it needs to "purge" because it can actually get full.

Re: PCOS and Heavy Bleeding

Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate it.