What's wrong with me?

I am so confused and frustrated.

I have been on my period for 3 weeks. I have never had a period this long. For the past week or so, I have been incredibly emotional. But the symptom that worries me the most is now I am getting hot flashes. Don't women get hot flashes during menopause? I'm 19! :(

Background Information: I have been taking oral contraceptives for about 9 months. Each brand I try, I experience breakthrough bleeding where my periods last for 2 weeks instead of just one. I give each new brand I try 3 months to regulate my period, but I get the same results. Because of the excessive bleeding, I have also become anemic.

I have looked up the symptoms and conditions that cause PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) but none of them really seem to match. I'm very scared that this is something serious.

You need to go back to your dr and get checked out. i am not going to speculate and possibly cause you more stress...so please make an appointment.

Please contact your Dr.

Definitely see not just your doctor but get a referral to a gynecologist who specializes in unusual menstrual cycles.  Even if you have to drive extra to do it a specialist is probably the best way to go since your regular doctor doesn't seem to have a solution.

Did you have issues before you started on oral contraceptives?  Are the oral contraceptives for birth control or were they to alleviate some other issue?

I agree with seeing an ob/gyn is best. Also, have you tried low dose birth controls? Like Loestrin 24, Yaz, Mirena, Seasonale?

smwhipple: I did not have any issues with my menstrual cycle before. I did lose my period for a year about two and a half years ago. But once I started my period again, it was totally regular. 5-6 days, and it started almost exactly the same time every month.

cptbunny: I am not on health insurance and can only go to my school clinic. They started me on low dose birth controls and have been increasing my dose. The next brand they have me trying is called Cryselle. They say it's the highest they offer and all 3 doctors have never seen a girl breakthrough bleed on it. I'm starting it in a few days and I'm praying it will work!

Hormonal birth control can cause all kinds of wacky changes in your cycle.  I personally have never found one that worked for me, and I've experimented with quite a few.  That's not to say there's no hope for you, just giving my personal experience.  Is there any way you could switch to a non-hormonal birth control method?  Obviously you have limited options since you have no insurance, but definitely explore those options.

I'm certainly not a medical professional, but if you had no issues with your cycle before you started taking the pill, then the obvious answer to your question of "what's wrong with me?" is "your birth control pill." =)

I've got to tell you, there's nothing like condoms to really help with the birth control plus the STD protection or a non-hormonal IUD.  After 9 months of whacked out cycles I don't think I would have any interest in birth control!

I don't really have any advice other than trying a different pill, but I just wanted to let you know that I am also 19 and I have experienced hot flashes during my period since I have been on the pill. I asked my doctor and he said it has to do with a drop in estrogen levels. Your estrogen levels are high while you are on the pills and then drop during the week you are off them, which can cause hot flashes before and during your period. So it's not a problem unless it's happening randomly throughout the month. It's just really annoying!