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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding Indicate?

I m 18, sexually active but practicing safe sex. I generally have fairly normal menstrual cycles, but about a month ago I started lightly bleeding and it hasn t stopped. It s a very strange dark color. Could this just be a weird but healthy thing, or is something wrong? I m scared to take a pregnancy test or talk to a doctor.
posted on Sun, 13 Nov 2016
Twitter Tue, 22 Jan 2019 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 24 Jan 2019 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

I understand your fear related to bleeding and having a pregnancy test, on the other hand every time there is a change in menstrual bleeding in a sexually active woman a pregnancy test is needed first before considering any other diagnosis or tests.

I would recommend you to have a pregnancy test and if it is negative you will need a gynecological visit and according to the findings in the examination the doctor might ask for tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea to rule out these sexually transmitted diseases.

If all these come out normal then very likely the changes in the bleeding pattern are related to hormonal changes and the doctor might recommend some oral pills to help regulate them.

I hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician
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What Does Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding Indicate?

Hello, I understand your fear related to bleeding and having a pregnancy test, on the other hand every time there is a change in menstrual bleeding in a sexually active woman a pregnancy test is needed first before considering any other diagnosis or tests. I would recommend you to have a pregnancy test and if it is negative you will need a gynecological visit and according to the findings in the examination the doctor might ask for tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea to rule out these sexually transmitted diseases. If all these come out normal then very likely the changes in the bleeding pattern are related to hormonal changes and the doctor might recommend some oral pills to help regulate them. I hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Antoneta Zotaj, General & Family Physician