[scaredgirlhelp]

Hello, I'm fourteen and recently I've started my period (around spring break)
It was very irregular and lasted about two weeks (off and on)
Some days it was heavy, and others it would be light or just brown discharge.
Recently I began bleeding again and It's lasted about three weeks now and I'm really scared.
I'm too scared to discuss it with my mom or try and get an appointment with a doctor in fear they're gonna want to look at it or make me get a pap smear (I heard they're painful).
Basically it's been bleeding off and on for three weeks now, some days it's heavy and other days it's very light. It's also bled every time I have an orgasm?? I don't penetrate myself so I'm not sure why it would bleed. It's bright red blood too, not brown. Sometimes there's a lot and some times it's just a little but it never bleeds for long
Also, I have no pain or cramping at all.
Someone help? It's really really really scary.

[calibri~]

Hello Scaredgirl,

So this is your second period, yes? Does your mum know that you have started your periods or are you keeping it a secret?
The first year of periods can be quite irregular, which is very annoying - and the length of bleeding can vary a lot, but three weeks is quite a long time to have constant bleeding. I can tell you why an orgasm would cause the bleeding though: if you have lining in your womb that is shedding, when you orgasm, the womb contracts and pushes the lining (blood) out faster so you appear to bleed as a result of the orgasm, but in actual fact the blood would have come out later anyway.
When you say that the beleding is heavy, not wanting to pry but how heavy is that? are you having to change tampons / towels every hour or two, or four or more?
If you go to a doctor, they will discuss with you your symptoms to start with. It is unlikely in my opinion that they would do a pap smear at this point (plus they aren't that painful, just a little uncomfortable) but I think you would benefit from the reassurance of a medical professional whether what you are experiencing is normal for a girl who has recently started her periods or not.
If you are not really heavily bleeding (say soacking a tampon or pad in under an hour) and not in any pain then I woudl have thought it was just a really annoyingly long period as your body adjusts your hormones before your cycles get regular.
I would also encourage you to talk to your mum because she may have experienced exactly the same thing when she started her periods too. (though I know what a cringe-fest that conversation is)

[scaredgirlhelp]

This is my second period, and yes my mom does know. I had to tell her because I was sick of using toilet paper instead of real pads, haha.
Anyways, the bleeding is not very heavy. I haven't bled through pads, and I don't have to change them that often throughout the day. Like, If I put one on before I got to school, I wouldn't have to change it until I got home.
Sometimes it's a sticky clear discharge mixed with blood, or just moderate amounts of blood. (sorry if I'm getting too detailed, It's just hard to explain.)
Some days it's heavier than others, but it's usually not that bad.
I'm just scared to go to a doctor because I don't want them to have to examine me down there. I'd rather just explain to them what's going on and have them put me on birth control or something to regulate the bleeding.

[atskitty2]

Just so I understand you clearly, are you having sex? Or masturbating?
Why are you uncomfortable talking to your mom?
Are you in the US?

Usually the first several months, sometimes even a few years, your periods aren't regulated, so it isn't surprising that you're having some crazy periods. It's mostly normal.
Talk to your Mom. I'm sure she would want to know and will be able to discern if this is something you need to see a doctor for. Most likely it isn't.

If you do need to see a doctor, just tell them you're scared and have never had a pelvic exam. It may not be necessary at all. Sometimes, especially if you aren't sexually active, at your age, just talking with them and discussing the problem is all they need to determine if it's normal or not and what needs to be done to help.

A pelvic exam can be uncomfortable, and embarrassing but it generally isn't painful. They are accustomed to young patients and can be very gentle and understand how awkward it can be.

So, no worries Sweetie. Talk to mom and see what she thinks.

[scaredgirlhelp]

Also, I was exaggerating a bit about the three weeks part. Some days I don't really bleed or just have spotting. It's really weird.

[scaredgirlhelp]

I am not sexually active with other people but I do masturbate.
I do live in the US and I'm just shy about all of this.
I'd rather talk anonymously to another adult because it's much easier.

[calibri~]

OK that info is helpful - so on and off you are bleeding, with various amounts and various textures (for want of a better description!) - I think that is not anything to worry about with this being only your second period. I remember my second period was scarily heavy, painful and went on for what felt like forever, but that never happened again like that. As you are obviously very worried (what do you think could be wrong in your worst fears??) I think you need to overcome your shyness and talk to someone in the 3D world.

[kira]

It's probably nothing. Your hormones are trying to figure out your period schedule and can continue to have moments of confusion through highschool. A multivitamin supplement is a good idea though because if you are bleeding frequently you can loose too much iron.

Pap smears are not that painful. There might be a stretching feeling if you haven't inserted anything before and then there is a little pinch when they take the sample. It's mostly just embarrassing at first. Many doctors and planned parenthood will see you without a vaginal exam or pap smear if you really can't handle it. They might draw some blood to check iron/anemia and what level your hormones are at and then ask you questions. They can't really do much if your body is just working things out though. Some iron supplement is about it unless you want to control things with birth control pills or similar methods.

[scaredgirlhelp]

I'm not sure what could be wrong. I googled a bit but it only mentioned things I knew couldn't be wrong with me.
My mom mentioned putting me on birth control when I first told her because she had to be put on it when she had her period since it was irregular.
I'll make sure to discuss it with my mom eventually, if I ever manage to get the courage to.. It's just scary.
Are you wanting to know the different textures? If so, I'll describe some that I've noticed;
bright red blood with no clotting, dark red (not massively dark, but not bright red) with lots of the little clotting things (im not sure what the name for them is), clear sticky discharge with a bit of red in it.. and those are the only ones I can remember.

[calibri~]

Sounds like your mum went through the same thing so really dint worry about anything being drastically wrong..you may also need birth control to regulate your cycle. I hope you are a but less scared now.