menopause

[mamawof7]

I am 48 and am pretty sure I am going thru menopause I have been having a period for over a week now and am bleeding really heavy and lost a lot of blood and I am real weak and kinda scared if I go to the er is there anything they can do or should I even go

[dstuhly]

Hi, I am 48 years old and my cycle for the last several years now is 2 wks. on, 2 wks. off. I assumed this was normal being that your body changes when you are premenopausal. The bleeding is light for the first week and heavy for the second. Is this not normal? Should I see a gynecologist?

[mamalady65]

I had the same symptoms about 4 years ago. I had heavy periods that would last about a week. I had an ultrasound and my doctor found a uterine polyp. I finally had it removed two months ago.. I had one period since my surgery and my period was lighter. I took one iron tablet daily through those four years and I'm still currently taking the iron supplement.

[1ringmaker]

http://www.drnorthrup.com/womenshealth/healthcenter/topic_details.php?topic_id=67

Hopefully this link stays intact so you can just click on it. The link deals with heavy flow as a result of perimenopause.
If this seems to be becomming the norm and every month is a heavy one. Then you might start increasing your vitamin k about a week before you start. This will thicken your blood and slow the flow. An added perk in the increase of vitamin k is it strengthens your bones

[AnnieBrooke]

I would take some iron (and some fiber gummies along with it, since it can really block you up) right away, either Geritol or just iron supplements.  If you continue bleeding to the point of dizziness or faintness, go to urgent care.  But if it is just worrying you and you don't feel that extreme, wait until Monday, and then call your ob-gyn for an emergency appointment.  See if you can get in next week.  My guess (and it is just a guess) is that a fibroid is near your cervix.  They can cause long and heavy bleeds, and fibroids are not that uncommon in your 40s.