Strange menstral cycle "HELP"

[hunnybunny2k8]

I have been under a lot of stress lately, although this is the time I should be having my period, my period is never really on time to begin with, but I believe I have it now, but it is strange because my boobs hurt every time they get pushed on and I am having normal menstrual cramps and iron smell like I'm having my period. Usually my periods are pretty bad to the point where I bleed a lot, but right now all I am getting on my pad is pink leakage and not much of it. This has been going on for a couple of days now. What could be wrong? Please help me out. I am sexually active and do have 4 kids and am not using protection with sex. Because of all the period symptoms and the cramps, it does not seem to me like I'm pregnant, but I just don't know what the problem could be, I have never had only pink on my pad when I have gotten my period before.

[melaniedavis40]

I am a 43 year old woman.  I have never had a problem with my periods having  a heavy heavy odor of Iron.  Is this normal?

[John Kim, M.D.]

I suggest seeing your gynecologist and checking a pregnancy test first. Then doing a work up for the problem such as testing your thyroid by TSH and other test such as FSH to check for premenopause. Stress could also be a factor and you may not be ovulating regularly from the stress and therefore not having your regular periods.