Can't cope with this

I’ve had spotting for 5 months.  Seeing a Gynea next week.  Petrified in case I need a biopsy because my smears have been very painful.  From this site I see that spotting is very common so I’m trying to not worry about what it might be.  It’s the tests I’m worried about because I have very high anxiety levels.  I’m not sleeping xx

I haven't had surgery or spotting as I am postmenopausal. But lately, health anxiety and depression have gotten to me. But hugs and love to you. I hope you feel better soon.🤗🤗🤗?

It appears common for us to have these symptoms with no underlying cause other than hormonal. You’ve described symptoms lots of women have experienced and tests have revealed nothing. I become anxious about everything and think the worse case scenario about everything at the same time. Have the tests to reassure you but it’s likely just to be peri/menopausal. It’s a sh***y time and I look forward to coming out the other side!

Hi Ellie, if your breasts are hurting I'm sure your estrogen is probably dominant, and I believe if your progesterone is very low you will spot. So this all makes sense. The spotting thing is annoying. I recently missed three months, then spotted an entire month and got a regular period, then nothing again for another month. It does seem to be normal for peri.

What were the results from you biopsy the first time?

Oh, Ellie, I hear the panic in your voice; I am so glad you wrote.

Like Suzanne said, if your biopsy results were normal last year then it is almost impossible for something to be terribly wrong now.  Even when a patient has irregular bleeding (at least in the US) they only do a hysteroscopy every 5 years because cellular change in the uterus is that slow. And Angie is right; if your breasts hurt then it is likely to be a hormonal event.  

I totally understand how, when the health anxiety takes root, all the symptoms feel catastrophic. The anxiety is like a neurological storm that has a violence and force of its own that can't be controled.  So of course we feel short and emotional.  And a regular period has been the marker of womanhood since we were tweens. When it gets irregular we have to at least paritially redefine what makes us who we are. 

It's stupid for me to say not to worry.  But I agree with Angie B.  This may be the new hormonal normal for a bit.  If your tests were ok the last time I would just make a regular office appointment and see what the Dr. says. Feel free to PM me. I am a bit of a self taught expert on health anxiety.