Question about first 6-12 months of menstruation

[Anonymous]

I know it takes a while for periods to settle into a regular cycle, but I just realized DD has been having hers for nearly 3 weeks. (Her first was in the spring.) No other abnormal symptoms. I'll call our pediatrician Monday. In the meantime, did anyone's daughter experience anything similar?

[Anonymous]

I would call the ped. I typically have 12-15 day periods, but three weeks is forever.

My dd had the opposite problem. She started about 18 months ago and has only had periods every 2-3 months.

[Anonymous]

My DD also had a very long 3 week period - Dr. Told me it can take some girls a couple of years to get very regular.,,right after I called it stopped and she still has longish cycles but not three weeks. She gets it every month but the duration can vary - they said this is typical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD also had a very long 3 week period - Dr. Told me it can take some girls a couple of years to get very regular.,,right after I called it stopped and she still has longish cycles but not three weeks. She gets it every month but the duration can vary - they said this is typical.

Thanks, that's reassuring, although it's still tough luck for her. I was hoping that the longer periods would be less frequent.

[Anonymous]

OMG, really? 3 weeks? I don't remember mine being that irregular, or that long when I first started (at almost 14).
Is it only spotting and not heavy for that long?

My poor DD (who is only 7).

[Anonymous]

Does she have a GYN? I would call them, not the pediatrician. If she doesn't, find a GYN who sees teens. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

How long were her other periods?

You might as well find her a GYN. She's going to need one eventually anyway, and pediatricians often don't know much about this.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/30/endometriosis-is-often-ignored-in-teenage-girls/?_r=0

[Anonymous]

Other periods were normal. Thanks for the link. It seems that debilitating pain is a common symptom of endometriosis. DD has had cramping for 1-2 days at the beginning of each period but nothing two ibuprofen couldn't fix. I will start with the ped and keep an eye on it.

[Anonymous]

If there's no serious pain and periods are otherwise normal, I wouldn't sweat it. One last idea-- is she overweight? That can make periods more irregular. You could look into PCOS.

[Anonymous]

No, she's thin. I looked at the Mayo Clinic page on PCOS and she doesn't seem to have any of the symptoms. I'm feeling reassured!

[Anonymous]

It's probably no big deal, OP. Welcome to the world of crazy teen hormones!

[Anonymous]

That's awful. My DD's period is a day, if that, and very light. I would be concerned for it to last so long.

[Anonymous]

Called the ped today. The nurse said not to worry unless there is real pain or very heavy flow but to call back if it continues past 4 weeks. Hoping it doesn't get to that point. DD is taking it all in stride, thank goodness.