[HisLova]

ok so I first got my period when I was 12. It came for a week, left and didnt return until I was 16. My period has been off and on like this ever since. The dr said it will regulate by the time I turned 18, but it hasnt. Im 21 now and still struggling with this . When my period does come, its extremely heavy and long( usually 10 - 20 days). Does anyone else have this problem????

[Iseulda]

No - but I know some women that do.

Some of them have found regularity and a significant reduction in discomfort from taking a certain pill (different for each woman). Others tried the pill and it made it worse.

You need to get a referral from your regular doctor to go to see a gynaecologist if you want to follow route. Because your period is not normal I would advise against just going to your regular doctor and asking for the pill - you need to talk to someone with more in depth knowledge. It may not be a bad idea to see a gynaecologist anyway, to verify this is nothing serious and to see what advice he or she might offer.

Then there is the diet, nutrition and herbal remedy route.

I know one woman who has got her heavy periods under control with Red Raspberry Leaf tea - this has become quite popular for pregnant women as it is said to 'tone the uterus' but the help it provides can also reduce flow and cramps. This is not a one shot wonder but is something you need to take regularly and over time before it will start to help.

Most of the women I know who have had menstrual problems like yours have been told that the menstrual problems are a symptom of something else. In one case it was anaemia and iron supplements helped, in another case it was a generally unhealthy diet and vitamin and mineral supplements helped.

If you don't want to go to a doctor, or if there is a long wait for an appointment try taking a multivitamin supplement and iron, magnesium and potassium supplements (if they aren't already in the multivitamin you choose). And see if you can find some red raspberry leaf tea, you should get that in a health food store - no harm in asking in a store like that what they recommend, you can always ignore the advice. Evening primrose is supposed to be for cramps and PMS generally, I have yet to meet someone with a significant problem (like the one you describe) who has had any luck with it.

Best of luck sorting this out.

[HisLova]

and what about children? since i was 16 my bf n i have been trying, and it hasnt worked .. im worried im scarred 4 life

[Iseulda]

You've been trying to conceive since you were 16? Actively seeking to have a baby at that young age is something I find a little hard to understand.

Fertility is a hugely complex thing - could be him, could be you, could be the combination. You really need to see an expert and have a lot of things looked at. I know plenty of women with extremely irregular and problematic periods who have conceived, but anecdotal evidence isn't going to answer your question.

If this is a big deal for you and you need answers you have to go to a health care professional - the answers are not on the internet.