My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Menopause

Is this normal or should I go to gp

31 replies

sincitylover · 09/01/2015 20:05

I had a period last June - one at beginning of December (this one started the day after I was given acupuncture for something else). Since New Year's Day I have been spotting and streaking blood - enough to wear a light pad.

Thought it might develop into a full period but it hasn't!

Shouid I go to gp not sure what this is?

OP posts:
Report
ThreeQuartersEmpty · 09/01/2015 23:24

What age are you?
I'm 45 I've been to Dr. A bit like you. I had a period last July, then early December. July was 12 weeks later than expected.
I had a blood test and my fsh levels are high.
I've to go back to talk about things if I don't have another soonish.

I suspect I only had a period as I had flown to travel immediately prior to both, but this might be just urban myth that it brings it on.

Report
carmen66 · 11/01/2015 21:32

I'm 48 & my periods have been getting lighter for the last couple of years lasting 2-3 days..I came on just after Xmas & it only really lasted a day.Is this normal it's never happened before. I'm going to wait & see if I get a period this month before I visit my GP

Report
pinkfrocks · 12/01/2015 10:06

It's pretty normal if you are anywhere from 45-55.
This is what happens- irregular cycles and bleeding that can be lighter or heavier.

It's not a reason to see the dr unless you have other symptoms that are making life difficult and you want to discuss treatment such as HRT or a coil for heavy bleeding.

Report
sincitylover · 12/01/2015 13:55

Thanks for replies yes this is my age range.

I have made an appt. as have now has this for 12 days - surely they should rule out infection, erosion or uterine cancer?

OP posts:
Report
pinkfrocks · 12/01/2015 16:59

why do you think there is anything wrong?
Uterine cancer is only an issue if you have not had any type of period / bleeding for 12 months or more then you have some blood loss.

You are presumably peri menopausal. Your symptoms are spot on for that! eg a period in June, a 6 month gap, then a period December, then another light one on 1st Jan.

Nearly ALL my final periods were just spotting- for several months- with gaps of 1-2 or 4 months in between.

Just trying to reassure you that this is all normal.

Report
pinkfrocks · 12/01/2015 17:02

p.s- you should see a dr for any bleeding outside of a normal cycle- eg mid-cycle or post menopause. It doesn't sound as if you are having that because this spotting is 1 month after your last period. The fact it has gone on for 12 days is nothing to worry about - it's all down to hormonal imbalance.

Report
sincitylover · 13/01/2015 14:20

thanks all - just to update -went to my gp today who asked me to come back next week for examination (she didn't have time to do it there and then), swabs and smear (my smear is up to date though) plus sending me for blood tests and also mentioned a scan to check the lining of my womb.

OP posts:
Report
pinkfrocks · 13/01/2015 16:48

Sounds as if she is being super-thorough which makes a change!
Seriously, I don't think you have anything to worry about.
You are peri, you've had a 6-month gap then a period, then another period roughly 4 weeks later. Even though it's light and gone on for 12 days that is not unusual or abnormal at your age. You might (just!) have a fibroid or a polyp which can cause bleeding at odd times, or prolonged bleeding, but the times to get worried about bleeding outside of a normal cycle are mid-cycle or nowhere near period dates, after sex, after 12 months or more without any period at all ( if you are under 50) or if you are not up to date with smears.

Report
sincitylover · 21/01/2015 19:06

Went to gp today who took swabs, examination - couldn't take smear as my fibroid was pressing on cervix. Arranged an urgent apt with gynae.

Slightly concerned but appreciate the thoroughness of GP

OP posts:
Report
pinkfrocks · 22/01/2015 08:40

That's quite odd- fibroids are internal in the uterus as you know so how that prevents anyone taking a smear sounds a bit doubtful. How does a fibroid stop a dr taking a smear?

Report
sincitylover · 22/01/2015 09:33

There were similar problems when I had the smear before last (at a different gp) practice nurse tried, gp tried - was then referred to a clinc which was visited by consultant gynae who managed. As far as I can recall they also blamed the position of the fibroid.

Last smear was done by practice nurse.

OP posts:
Report
sincitylover · 22/01/2015 09:35

Are you a medic pink frocks ? (as you sound well informed)

OP posts:
Report
pinkfrocks · 22/01/2015 11:15

I'm not a medic but I am well informed and have had loads of smears in my life, plus I have a fibroid and have regular appts with a consultant gynae. The thing is, a fibroid is not visible. You'd only know there was a fibroid by a scan or an internal examination when it might be felt. A fibroid is the muscular wall of the uterus. So how can a fibroid in the womb affect the cervix?
here's a little pic!

Is this normal or should I go to gp
Report
pinkfrocks · 22/01/2015 11:17

The yellow bits in the pic are different types of fibroids.

Report
zzzzz · 22/01/2015 11:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

zzzzz · 22/01/2015 11:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pinkfrocks · 22/01/2015 14:12

you can't really have a fibroid covering your cervix.

Report
zzzzz · 22/01/2015 17:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pinkfrocks · 22/01/2015 18:04

Ha- I saw that one too! I suppose what I'd deduce is that if the OP has one of those it would have been impossible to take a smear at any time ( and she said a nurse did the last one) and it would be easily visible to anyone who looked up there!

I had a smear recently and the dr did have a good look before they dived in to take the sample, so any dr ought to be able to see it.

Come back OP and solve the mystery of this errant fibroid! You talked about 'my fibroid' as if it were a trophy or something you knew you had- did you?

Report
sincitylover · 22/01/2015 20:30

God no not a trophy! Have had fibroids for ages at least 12 years. Initially i dithered about whether to have them removed or a hysterectomy but decided against for various reasons.

Perhaps I will dig out the paperwork which states the exact position and size. I do know it's 22cm - I think that's grapefruit size.

OP posts:
Report
sincitylover · 24/01/2015 10:25

Just found gynae report from 2011- "the fibroid affecting the position of the cervix. .......the cervix was difficult to see...." The fibroid is left posterior

OP posts:
Report
pinkfrocks · 24/01/2015 14:34

I think what that means is....not that your fibroid is covering your cervix, but that it's pulling /tilting the position of your uterus so that the cervix is possibly pushed towards the vagina at an angle instead of being 'straight up' IYSWIM!

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

zzzzz · 24/01/2015 18:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sincitylover · 25/01/2015 19:42

No not really!Smile

Anyway still bleeding and waiting for my appt. and results

OP posts:
Report
sincitylover · 02/02/2015 15:38

Went to hospital today and have been referred for a colcoscopy and hysterscopy.

The scan seemed ok

OP posts:
Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.