"I have a daughter in her teens - she has just started her menstrual cycle for the first time and it lasted for about 2 weeks which is rather unusual but I "brushed it" off as it being the first time. Then the cycle has started again and is very heavy. Can you explain this or should I take her to a doctor?"
Denise's thoughts:
When girls first start their period, a lot of unsual things can happen, like getting it every other week, not getting it for 2 months, or getting it for a longer time. This is a normal part of puberty, the cycle is getting ready to become just that, a cycle and it can take up to a year to be a steady thing, for some woman it never does. She may just be a girl who is going to have a heavy period to deal with. As she gets older there are options she can take to control it, like oral contraceptives.
If she is showing no other signs, like being extremely lethargic, getting sick to her stomach and such, I would just keep an eye on her, although calling your doctor to get an opinion is always a good idea. You may want to talk to some of the women on her father's side of the family to see if this is normal for them. That way you will be able to determine if this is the way it is going to be with her, or if its something she may grow out of.
The Answers from the Parenting of Adolescents Forum:
Just wait until you start to go through menopause and those same weird cycles come back! I agree with Denise and also want to suggest diet and exercise before the extreme situation of medication. Periods are different for everyone but make sure your daughter has a good diet in general, doesn't smoke and gets some sort of daily exercise. I have helped some teenage girls by encouraging them to take a dance class, walk for 45 minutes a day or play a sport. The ones who sit in front of the television eating chips are going to have more trouble with their periods as well as zits! Good luck, - DBJ
I had the same problem with my older one, and it lasted about 6 months. I did call the doctor and he said to watch it, that is all you can do. Of course with this she had some nasty cramps-- i felt really bad for her. It's so hard to watch that happen in your daughter and feel powerless. - twogirls
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