Period Problems

I had my RNY on 11/21, and 4 days later I got the Depo-Provera birth control shot. I have (had?) PCOS & have never had regular periods, sometimes going 8-12 months without one, & sometimes bleeding for 2-12 weeks when I did. I started my period the day after I got the first shot. After bleeding the entire first 3 months, my doctor said that it was because I had gone so long without one & that it would stop (probably completely) soon. I got the second shot right after my 3 month check-up (where all of my blood work, nutrition plan, & weight loss were excellent), then I lost my job of 12 years along with my medical insurance. I continued to bleed for the next 3 months, so I figured that the bleeding was related to the shot…I didn’t get it again when it was due about a month ago. The bleeding has continued. It’s been 7 months now, & I’m a little concerned about a few things. 

Will I ever stop bleeding without being prescribed something to make it stop? 

If I am “on my period" could I be ovulating? (Due to the PCOS, I have not ovulated at all in the past.) Can I get pregnant since I’m not on birth control? 

Should I worry about becoming anemic? My iron levels have always been good, but I worry about it now since the bleeding has gone on for so long. Should I start taking iron?

I know that you guys aren’t doctors & that everyone’s usual response is “call your doctor," but that isn’t an option for me. Even though my unemployment is barely enough for my hubby & I to survive on (he’s not working right now either & we are seriously barely surviving), we make too much to qualify for any public assistance. I tried calling a low-income medical clinic, but our co-pay was still too high for me to come up with & it seemed that they had very little experience with patients who had weight loss surgery. Maybe someone else here has gone through something similar…? Any feedback would be appreciated!

bleeding for 7 months straight in any cir****tance is not normal. You need to see a gyno ASAP. I know that you say that it's not an option for you, HOWEVER, you need to. It could be something very serious. Bleeding for any extended amount of times could send your blood levels crazy. Please, please please see a doctor!

I am so sorry this is happening to you. I understand about the cost of medical care, it kills me and my husband. We make too much for any govt help too but can barely buy food at times because of debt. I am just going to tell you my experiences with periods post WLS. I don't know anything about the Depo shot, though

First, I know your iron may be good now BUT you are not THAT far post op. The bleeding you are having is probably sucking the iron from you and driving your ferritin down. My periods were HORRIBLE during the weight loss phase post surgery. HEAVY and painful. I didn't take iron at that time and I wish I had. But as you see, I am 5 and 1/2 years out and my surgeon's office is TERRIBLE, did not even tell me about iron deficiency back then.

What I am suggesting to you is to PLEASE take iron NOW before it gets so low that you may need infusions. They are thousands of dollars if you are uninsured (at least where I live). I would go ahead and get a 400 count bottle of vitalady tender iron and take 4-6 a day with stool softeners or a heme iron. Not Slow fe or any drugstore crap for non-op's (been there, done that, MISTAKE). I was right on the verge of needing iron infusions and luckily I pulled it up with the tender iron right in the nick of time. It is a small price to pay for what could potentially be a terrible problem.

As for ovulating, I am so fertile post op that on my honeymoon, my hubs and I had unprotected sex ONE time and boom! 9 months and 7 days from my wedding date, I had a baby. I see many women on the pregnancy board who got pregnant within months of having the surgery. So I would be cognizant of it. best of luck honey! keep us posted

have the same problem but havent had the surgery yet ive am also on depo!! maybe they can start u on metformin? maybe they can just call it in for u take iron i was anemic also! sounds like u will mostly need a d&c but with no health insurance probably cant. um i dont know what state u live in but nj offers charity care at hospitals for ppl that dont have any. plus iron wont hurt u. unless u take a lot more then says on bottle. are you on blood thinners my ob said that will make me bleed. dont know about pregnancy i havent yet while on depo and bleeding. and im wondering if mine will ever stop too........... good luck and hope i helpped you out somewhat!!

So, working as an ob/gyn nurse in an outpatient clinic for many years I have a few questions. When you say period, do you mean full fledge period or do you mean spotting? I have given so many patients depo and have seen many different reactions to it. Spotting up to a year, I have seen on depo. Bleeding as in period like, heavy bleeding is NOT normal and needs to be addressed by a dr. You need to get your iron checked.

"Bleeding" does NOT necessarly mean you are ovulatating BUT you also COULD be. YOU COULD STILL BECOME PREGNANT. Use proper pre-cautions. It is recommended that WLS patients use 2 forms of birth control. With PCOS you don't know if you are or not. So I personally would go with the the thought that you are. I am speaking from experience. I was told I would never get pregnant without the aid of fertility drugs due to PCOS and needed them with my first. I didn't use protection and became pregnant with my twins! This was pre-op.

Check with you health department to see if they have programs. I know our does.
You need this addressed wether or not you had WLS.

Jenn, if you get desperate and i mean desperate. always remember medical bills are fully dischargable in bankruptcy. they get wiped out completely. i tell my uninsured loved ones that. the hospital or doctor cannot come put you in jail haha. so don't EVER put off medical care if you NEED IT for your life, etc.

Thanks for the quick feedback! @Shelly- It’s not just spotting, it’s like full on period bleeding…not as heavy now as in the first 3 months, but I have to use a tampon pretty much 24/7. @Erin- thanks for the suggestions. I think I’ll start taking iron just in case while I look for a clinic that will bill me (so far I have only found places that need payment to be seen, but I think that if all else fails I can go to the county hospital & they’ll send a bill later).

I am so sorry to hear about your problems...Just an FYI a hospital can not refuse to see you on the basis of an inability to pay further more they can not send you to collections as long as you pay something on your bill regularly and I am talking as little as 5.00.  Good Luck

 Find a planned parenthood. They will work with you and often times (since you have no job or insurance) you pay NOTHING out of pocket.  This can make you really sick so it's not something to ignore.