Long periods 😢

I would say for the last year or 2 I’ve been having very long periods. I will spot for like 3 days then for about a week or longer I will have a normal flow period then spot as if it’s leaving for 1-3 days and then have a heavier period with many clots for about a week or longer. I had the same issue when I was about 17 and went to the doctor and they couldn’t give me any solution other than birth control pills which I do not want to take. My period became regular for a few years now my body is doing the same thing. When I first started having a period years ago as a child it was never super regular. There was some months that it was but usually irregular.. anyways does anyone know why my periods have been so long so I can give the Doctor some leads. I don’t want to pay all the outrages fees to not have a solution.