What to do if my period lasts 35 days with heavy bleeding and blood clots?

When experiencing a menstrual period that has lasted 35 days with heavy bleeding and blood clots, especially after a four-month absence, it’s crucial to recognize that this may indicate a potentially serious underlying issue. This type of prolonged bleeding, known as menorrhagia, can lead to complications like anemia, which might explain symptoms like feeling faint or exhausted. Several potential causes exist, including hormonal imbalances, uterine fibroids, polyps, or even thyroid issues. While financial constraints might make it difficult, it’s very important to seek medical attention promptly, as some of these conditions can be serious and require professional intervention. Given the severity of your symptoms, if you continue to feel like you might collapse, visiting an emergency room or a clinic offering sliding-scale fees or financial assistance might be necessary to get evaluated. Even if it’s challenging, getting a clinical assessment involving a physical examination, blood work, and possibly an ultrasound can help pinpoint the root cause of these symptoms. In the meantime, monitoring your symptoms, maintaining hydration, and, if possible, increasing iron intake through diet or supplements (but only if you are not allergic and can tolerate them) might offer temporary relief. However, these aren’t substitutes for professional medical care and shouldn’t delay seeking an immediate evaluation, especially if you experience dizziness, severe fatigue, or any additional worrisome symptoms.