After Period

I am 21 and usually my periods are regular. I tend to go longer than most girls I hear about, my periods are usually 7-9 days every 28-32 days. Last month I was 15 days late and then started and had a normal (normal for me) period and then this month I started 4 days early (Sept. 2) and it was the regular heavy flow and it ended the 8th or 9th. Now it's the 19th and Friday (17th) I had this brownish discharge that I've never had before and today I notice a very light pink color but there wasn't a lot but what could this mean? My boyfriend and I had sex once from my period in August to now unprotected but he never does his business in me. Is there something other than pregnancy that it could be?

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I ALWAYS recommend a pregnancy test first--as that is always the most likely diagnosis.  Sometimes in women with irregular cycles, a buildup of tissue occurs in the uterine lining.  When this happens, spotting between periods can occur, or heavy clotty prolonged periods happen too.  When my patients have this problem, I prescribe progestone for them to "clean" the lining.  Another good option for you is oral contraceptives.  They regulate the cycle, shorten and lighten the flow, AND provide birth control--lots of benefits!
Good luck!
Dr B

PS don't forget about the morning after pill too--its called Plan B