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Unanswered questions on erractic bleeding causing me worry

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Beetle1965
Beetle1965

Hello - so far this year I have been told my FSH levels were showing post menopausal and then normal.  I have had changes in my cycle regularity from a steady 25/26/27 to a run of regular, then sort 17/18/19 days to 37/38 days.  Along with that has been a change in the way they happen, sometimes a good few days of spotting before hand, sometimes pink or brown then a day or two of heavy flow (although it's mainly when I go to the toilet) and then it stops abruptly or spots for a good 5 days.

This pattern of bleeding emerged in January along with severe pain in my back and ovary area that subsided - the Dr took my blood tests and said perimenopause and i put it down to that.  Since then I went to the GP again to say I was a bit concerned about this gushy bleeding, advised this is a common perimenopause thing but will have an ultrasound to check for polyps or fibroids adding to the bleeding.

I had the ultrasound last week which found multiple fibroids but actually no further info on whether this is causing the odd bleeding, they could only see fibroids on the outside of the uterus and I might need an MRI to check the inside.  They couldn't see my ovaries or lining.

My issue is this - I am now worried about the treatment suggested for the fibroids (surgery is my fear) but am managing this anxiety and will wait for the gynae referral appointment which could be 6-8 weeks I am told.

The main thing that keeps bugging me is the strange bleeding, from what I read fibroids if they cause bleeding problems it is heavy flow for quite some time.  I don't think this is what I am experiencing, it's just different in 'quality' and not thick anymore. 

My concern is  this is caused by some sort of problem noone has mentioned, a thick lining (I've heard this happens if estrogen is high) or something wrong with ovaries. In January nobody continued investigating so I just put it down to the hormones, but now I am worried it's something sinister they should have followed up.

I am sure noone can help me here and that the gynae will hopefully explain to me whether this bleeding is just par for the course in perimenopause and the fibroids are something to deal with but generally there is nothing untoward.  Of course I cannot hear that right now and as my periods has arrived 'early' again it has set me off.

I am under the impression the gynae appointment is to suggest ways to treat the fibroids and perhaps take more scans.

I am so in the dark about what things I should consider abnormal or just part of changes.  My periods have always started a bit light, heavier and then tail off - 5 days of manageble bleeding.  Now it is almost like a faucet goes on and off and that's it.  Not excessive but not my 'normal' - I get more of a heavy feeling and dragging before my periods than before, that could be the fibroids and a general feeling of yuck but that's it.

Can someone offer me any reassurance?  I am 45 and wondering what is going on, maybe it's not perimenopause after all aaaargggh It's enough to drive you potty x

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Kadija1966
    Kadija1966 Beetle1965

    Posted

    I am having same problem, doctor says it's perimenopause. I have a 5cm fibroids too.
    • Kadija1966
      Kadija1966

      Posted

      I am 48yrs old, my periods have been driving me crazy for past couple of years. Very heavy with bloods clots. This year bad abdominal pains and heavy bleeding had to have a couple of ultrasounds, seen large fibroids, doctors says I can have an op or wait for it to shrink after menopause. Past couple of months periods are shorter, every 3 wks and lasts 3days. Brownish blood and only one day of red blood. Don't have any pains or pressure in abdomen like before. Went to see my gyneacology last week, she says it's menopause and nothing to worry as the fibroid is shrinking. This menopause thing is driving me crazy, some days I'm fine, other days I'm depressed. I guess u just take it easy. That's wat I'm trying to do...
    • Beetle1965
      Beetle1965 Kadija1966

      Posted

      Hi Kadija - deep down I am sure it is perimenopause but you start to worry when all these tests are needed. Thank you for writing, my experiences sound similar to yours.  I did wonder if the mild pains I have been having are the fibroids responding to hormones going up and down and that this might include shrinking - I sure hope so.

      Thanks for writing, made me feel a bit less anxious about the whole thing and yes, take it easy is the best plan x

    • susan556
      susan556 Kadija1966

      Posted

      Had all this during the pe menapausal stage, small fibroids did shrink and adventually the periods got lighter then stopped. Depression, anxiety all part of it too. I can honestly say i found the pre menapause stage worse than the menapause it self with the pain, heavy bleeding,and  bladder problems.

      Now i have days of bloating, weight gain, and dryness and anxiousness

      but the feedom of no more periods is heaven sent beleive me. 

       

      Sue 

    • Beetle1965
      Beetle1965 susan556

      Posted

      Thanks for sharing your experience Susan, glad you are feeling better, albeit with different symptoms.
  • Zigangie
    Zigangie Beetle1965

    Posted

    I don't have Fibroids as far as I know. You are describing pretty much what mine were like from about 42 43 years old. They started changing. Different quality to the blood. I was fairly regular but some months heavier than others and some where they started then spotted or stopped altogether only to start again 2 days later.

    Also one month very bright red next brown looking.

    By about 48 I began missing one here and there. Then missing sometimes two or three.

    I had my last one when I was just 51

    Hope this helps.

    • Beetle1965
      Beetle1965 Zigangie

      Posted

      Hi Zigangie - yes it does help, thank you.  I just don't feel the Dr really listens and just says it sounds normal, when I am not sure they have heard just how much my periods have changed and in what ways. 

      When you have the same thing happen  with your periods for a few decades and then suddenly it all changes, it can be really disconcerting. The bleeding is definately as you describe - not the same from month to month. Sometimes the bright red, really has freaked me out. Not one Dr has really commented on my observation about the quality of the blood, so thank you for sharing that you noticed this change as well.

      At the start of the year, when my FSH was high the GP I saw said you won't have many more periods with that level and none after a year and wanted to give me HRT.  Maybe I am close to them ending, I just don't know, but another doctor said it could go on years as my FSH was then normal again and this is what happens. It's very helpful to hear the bleeding pattern is familiar to others. Thank you.

       

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