starting and stopping a lot, stabbing pains...

Hello,

Welcome to ehealthforum and thanks for writing

Irregular periods which you have mentioned seem to be due to Dysfunctional uterine bleeding.The cause of such disorder can be psychological stress, weight (obesity, anorexia, or a rapid change), exercise, hormonal changes,underlying cause,drug effect etc. Such changes cause altered gonadotrophin secretion hence changed secretion of FSH and LH and thus changes in estrogen and progesterone levels.
Such changes result in
1. menorrhagia (abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual period at regular intervals) or
2. metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding at irregular intervals, particularly between the expected menstrual periods).

Laboratory assessment of hemoglobin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, T4, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), pregnancy (by hCG), and androgen profile can be done.

The management of this condition would require treatment with progesterone to stabilize the endometrium and reduce bleeding. Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) suppress endometrial development, reestablish predictable bleeding patterns, decrease menstrual flow, and lower the risk of iron deficiency anemia.

You might consult your OB-GYN who can do the needed tests and initiate the proper therapy.

Take care!