Excessive Bleeding

She should have her thyroid checked. (You can google "symptoms of hypothyroid" for more information, and also see www.stopthethyroidmadness.com.) I had my period for about 6 months straight before any of my doctors figured it out - and it's a simple blood test! If your sister does have low thyroid, it is easy to treat. Once-daily medication, and the medication itself has no side effects.

Best of luck, and please let us know what happens!

This happened to me as well but I was 41 and had never given birth (adopted). My GYN adjusted by BC pills for about a year (after being on them for 25 years), we never tried depo provera. I have always had a great PPO insurance and opted for the Nova Sure uterine ablation procedure 3.5 years ago. Best. Thing. Ever!! This is her health, she needs to take care of herself. There can be complications from excessive blood loss...she is the mom of five children and needs to take care of herself.

She could go to her local Planned Parenthood. I had excessive bleeding like that and had no insurance. I went to Planned Parenthood. Turned out I had the beginning of cervical cancer. Have her go sooner rather than later!

I went to a doctor that dealt in hormones and he told me that my progesterone was too low and after a blood test it was confirmed.

Definitely sounds like fibroid tumors. Most are benign. Research on the web the treatments BEFORE going to the doctor. I chose to have a hysterectomy due to my age but you can also have the tumors removed. I waited 1.5 yrs just to avoid surgery but the tumor continued to grow and press on other organs and heavy bleeding was making me anemic and I was ruining lots of clothing!!
As for the insurance part, she can go to the ER for pain. If it is a fibroid, they will see it immediately when they do a pelvic exam!! No tests were required!
I agree that this is her health and they need to find the funds somewhere for her to go-she can pay $10 a month to pay off the bill!!! Or give up some other unnecessary expense for a few months to afford it. HEALTH comes 1st!! Remind her she would do this for one of her kids so why not herself!! Moms always feel quilty putting themselves 1st but in this case, she has to!!

Is she going to a county clinic where she will be charged on a sliding scale? If not, perhaps she could see a different doctor or one doctor more often. Is she talking to her doctor regularly, like every month? If not she should be persistent so that the doctor can figure out what is going on.

There are many possible causes for excessive bleeding and not all of them are serious enough to have to do something about them. For example, fibroid tumors can be left in place until she can afford to have the excised or a hysterectomy.

However, blood loss in itself can be a problem. Is she being tested for anemia? She may need to take extra iron.

I suggest that the best thing she can do is be persistent with the doctor in pursuing this.

She should look into a uterine ablation.