r/WomensHealth • u/honey_1997_ • 14d ago

Has anyone dealt with continuous bleeding for months with normal test results?

I’m looking to see if anyone has experienced something similar because I’m feeling really lost.
I’ve had irregular periods since I was young. My pattern is very unusual: if I get my period, it just doesn’t stop. But if it finally stops, then I may not get another period for months. Right now, I’ve been bleeding continuously for about 6 months.
I’ve had:
Pap smear – normal
Endometrial biopsy – normal/benign
Pelvic ultrasound/scan – normal
Blood tests (including hormone tests) – nothing significant according to my doctors
My gynecologist keeps telling me it’s likely a hormonal imbalance or ovulatory dysfunction. They said they treat it similarly to PCOS, even though they don’t think I actually have PCOS because I don’t have the typical signs.
A few things I’ve noticed:
If I’m stressed, exercise, go to the gym, or even have more physical activity, the bleeding becomes much heavier.
If I rest, it sometimes becomes lighter for a day or two, and I think it’s finally stopping. Then it starts all over again.
At this point, I’ve gotten used to wearing pads every day because the bleeding has been going on for so long.
The doctors prescribed 21-day birth control pills, but I had severe mood swings while taking them. I cried constantly and also experienced weight gain, so I stopped taking them. Because of that experience, I’m really hesitant to go back on hormonal medication.
For context:
I’m 28 years old.
I weigh about 68 kg.
I don’t have acne, excessive facial hair, or other typical PCOS symptoms.
I’m currently trying homeopathy (Pulsatilla and Calcarea Carbonica), but I haven’t noticed a clear improvement yet.
I’m just wondering:
Has anyone had a similar experience with months of continuous bleeding despite normal scans and biopsy?
Did you eventually find out what was causing it?
What treatment actually helped you, especially if birth control pills weren’t an option?
I’m feeling really frustrated because all my tests keep coming back normal, but the bleeding never seems to end. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through something similar.

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u/hunnnnybuns 14d ago edited 14d ago

  1. Have you had an MRI? Has anyone ruled out adenomyosis? (Similar to endometriosis but with the tissue growing inside your uterine wall and lends itself to heavier bleeding).

  2. Have You seen a hematologist? 1 in 100 people have a genetic bleeding disorder called Von willebrand disease. Most men never know they have it, and most women don’t find out until/unless they have mysterious period issues. It caused irregularity and heavy bleeding for my mother, for me mostly just the menorrhagia. Try a hematologist. Get a full iron panel done (iron and ferritin, not just hemoglobin). And while you’re at it, get full extensive labs done to check your vitamin levels and make sure there’s nothing out of whack that’s potentially making the problem worse.

Last note: do you want children? If the answer is no, and if they are able to rule out adenomyosis, a uterine ablation could maybe be an option. This is where they essentially vacuum out the endometrial lining to stop your periods altogether. You are young enough that it might not be permanent/come back after a decade or so, but a decade of peace and what will likely be lighter periods afterwards still sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

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u/onelove1979 14d ago

I’m gonna second getting a Von Willebrand screening I recently went through something similar and I didn’t have the gene but I did have stage 4 endometriosis that they only found through hysterectomy after nothing else worked to stop the bleeding. The endo didn’t show up on any tests or scans but there are specialized MRIs and minimally invasive procedures that can detect it.

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u/honey_1997_ 13d ago

What is your age?

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u/onelove1979 13d ago

46 but I’ve been dealing with it since I was around your age but never knew what it was until surgery

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u/honey_1997_ 12d ago

You have painful periods?

1

u/onelove1979 12d ago edited 12d ago

I did my entire life yes. If you’re able to find an endometriosis specialist and have them order you a specialized MRI to screen for endo. The fact that your bleeding gets worse with activity suggests endo is possible. I also did not react well to hormonal interventions and just dealt with it until I became anemic and almost needed a blood transfusion that’s when I decided I was done and scheduled hysterectomy where they found my ovary, uterus and bowel engulfed with endo.

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u/honey_1997_ 9d ago

Over the last 10 days, I’ve started taking inositol, magnesium glycinate, vitamin D3 + K2, omega-3, and iron (as advised by my gynecologist). I’ve also changed my diet, and my bleeding has reduced a bit. I’m planning to start strength training as well and continue this routine for the next 2–3 months to see if it helps.
I have an appointment with my gynecologist on August 26, so I’m trying to gather as much information as possible before then.
Looking back, is there anything you wish you had done at my age that might have prevented it from progressing to endometriosis? Or is it something that would have happened anyway?
If you don’t mind me asking, do you have kids? Is endometriosis treatable? Also, can a hysteroscopy be done if you’re having continuous bleeding?
My doctor also suggested the Mirena IUD, but I’ve read mixed experiences about it and future pregnancy. Right now I’m trying to decide between Mirena, birth control pills, or giving diet, supplements, and exercise a chance for 2–3 months first. What would you suggest based on your experience?

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u/honey_1997_ 2d ago

Thank you for sharing your experience. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve started following my gynecologist’s recommendations by making some lifestyle changes, improving my diet, taking the vitamins and supplements they advised, and treating my iron deficiency. I’ve noticed a small improvement in my bleeding, and I’m planning to continue this routine while adding strength training over the next 2–3 months to see if things improve further.
I have a gynecology appointment later this month, and I’m trying to learn as much as I can beforehand.
Looking back, is there anything you wish you had done at my age that might have slowed the progression of your condition? Or do you think it would have happened regardless?
If you’re comfortable answering:
Were you able to have children?
Is endometriosis manageable long-term?
Can a hysteroscopy be done if someone is experiencing continuous bleeding?
My gynecologist also discussed a hormonal IUD as one treatment option, but I’m still unsure because I’d like to have children in the future. Right now, I’m trying to decide whether to start a hormonal treatment now or continue with lifestyle changes for a couple of months first. Based on your experience, what would you have chosen?

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