[lyssdemarchand]

Hey guys, I just have a question about my period. I have a normal period I'd say, I get it every 25-27 days and it usually lasts for 5-6 days, no abnormally heavy bleeding or anything. This month I started my period on the 19th of May and here we are at the 26th and I still have some of it. It definitely started slowing down like usual around the end of day 5. I should also mention that for yesterday (May 25) and today (May 26) it is not fresh blood, it's definitely brown discharge and I've been wearing panty liner pads (the really really small and thin ones) and my period hasn't soaked through them at all...just a spot the size of like 4 quarters put together (sorry I couldn't think of any way else to describe this). I'm NOT on birth control and haven't been since I was 17 and I'm now 20. This is probably TMI but I figure I'd include it just in case someone else had a similar experience...but my boyfriend and I had sex on day 5 of my period at night, day 6 in the morning and then day 7 in the morning. I usually find that this stops my bleeding temporarily but it definitely didn't. We used a condom and there was a little bit on it and then when I went to clean myself up afterwards when I wiped there was the brown discharge. I'm not sure if having sex irritated my period or what but this is pretty unusual for me.

I woke up this morning which would be day 8 and went to the bathroom and still noticed brown discharge. The brown discharge usually stops for me on day 7 maybe at the latest. I talked to my sister and she said its concerning that I'm still bleeding and I've looked it up online but it seems like no ones having this problem...its more of people are still bleeding heavy at day 8 or 9 as in their period just hasn't stopped and that's not my problem. I had been rather stressed this weekend so I don't know if that's also what's screwing with it...But just to mention again I am not bleeding like I was on day 2 or 3 at all...just brown discharge on day 8 and everything else about my period was completely regular. Should I be concerned?

[atskitty2]

I wouldn't be terribly concerned honestly. Periods change sometimes. They get lighter, heavier, change duration, change intervals...they're not always predictable. You may have times that you don't know what's happening with it

If you're very concerned, you can call and speak with the nurse at your docs office, since they know your history best. Changing periods can be indicators of problems, but it usually isn't that alone. If you're fine, it's probably nothing to worry about.

[Ashlee T.]

It is usually a good idea to monitor yourself for one full cycle, and then if things don't straighten out go to a doctor and discuss. If he/she finds nothing wrong, they will most likely recommend you get on the pill to "regulate". At that point, it's up to you whether you do or don't. Sometimes the body works itself out, balances itself without help. So in other words, I'd wait until period time next month, see if you have a regular normal period. If you don't and have continued spotting beyond the 7 day period, I would go get checked out.

[Ronit Raj]

The rate at which the endometrial lining separates from the uterus is not constant. This explains why you could have days when you weigh more and less. It may start out with modest flow before becoming heavier as it passes if some tissue momentarily obstructs the flow out of the cervix. Stress or losing weight can cause a light period. A full cycle of self-monitoring is typically a good idea, and if things don't get better after that, talk to your doctor.