Girls, Weird period? Help?

[Anonymous]

So this month I got my period... But I'm not really bleeding. And what's coming out of me looks dark and not very bloody. I've been having normal period symptoms though (mood swings, cramps, and sweet cravings) but my period looks really weird! Can anyone help shed a little light on this? I'm a little scared.

I'm also going to add that I've been really stressed because of a class for 3 weeks now if that's anything relevant. And I've had sex like twice this month, both protected, I'm also on birth control and I kind of "switched" what I was taking because the pharmacy I went to for school gave me different pills than my usual for two months. This is my first month back on my former brand of pills.

[redeyemindtricks]

You near the end of the period? If so, that's normal. It just means older blood that didn't get released as fast. Takes on a browner or blacker color, and gets thicker?

You might also be dehydrated. Or anemic. Both of those can be exacerbated by stress. If this persists -- esp beyond the high stress period -- go get yr blood tested.

[Asker]

Nope, it started yesterday. I know I'm anemic because it runs in my family. And I wouldn't be surprised if I were dehydrated.

[redeyemindtricks]

Well, drink shedloads of water, and good luck with yr class. And schedule some regular blood tests for yr hemoglobin and so on -- you want to nip that in the bud, if it's indeed the problem.

[Asker]

Okay, thank you!

[Cmasterson]

It's just your old blood coming out, so if you're stressed too it could put a strain on your period coming out a bright red like usually. Birth control sometimes makes it different, I remember when I was on the pill sometimes I'd just have really light spotting and wondered if I got pregnant but it's just some side effects.

[Asker]

Ah, okay. I was really worried there -_- I wouldn't be surprised if most of this is from stress. I think I've freaked out a total of 5 times because of it this week alone