Is spotting normal?

[scoobdoob]

My periods have gone strange over the last year. I suddenly missed a period for about 5 months. I then had a really painful period. Then they went back to normal. Heavy but normal for me.
I then missed a couple of months again. About 14 days ago I started spotting. Only after wiping after using the toilet. Very rarely anything on the pad. When it was just a tiny amounts. Sometimes some small clots in the toilet after having a wee. Started bright red went a bit darker but now mainly stained mucous. Kept thinking period would start but it hasn't.

Had an uss end of last year and had a cyst but nothing else said. It is a large cyst but I didn't want any surgery so just having yearly scans. It hasn't changed in 18 months. Smear about 2 years ago.

So after all that! Can spotting be normal? I will go to the GP as I am concerned but wanted to know if anyone else had experienced this.
Thank you

[FrameyMcFrame]

Haven't myself but have heard it can happen. Did you get checked by GP yet?

[stareatthetvscreen]

i have experienced exactly the same.i haven't been to gp though.

[Greenandmighty]

Hi Scoobdoob, I don't wish to alarm you but I would advise you to see gp and request gynaecologist referral. It may be nothing but I'll explain my situation: my periods were becoming more spaced out (at age 50) which I put down to classic peri menopausal symptoms. Then I had a couple of episodes of heavy bleeding and clotting but, again, I assumed this was a typical, if annoying, part of my periods diminishing but I thought I should check this with the doctor. After a gynaecologist referral, they suspected a polyp and I was booked in for a hysteroscopy (to remove polyp under local anaesthetic). Unfortunately, the surgeon couldn't perform the procedure as he saw too many polyps but took a biopsy and said he'd have to remove them under a general anaesthetic. However, the results showed some pre cancerous cells which then meant I would require a full hysterectomy! This all occurred over a month. Luckily, no radio or chemotherapy needed and op went OK. I don't mean to worry you, because everyone's symptoms can vary greatly and may signify nothing but please do get yourself checked without delay to put your mind at rest. Good luck x

[scoobdoob]

Hi all, I have only just noticed the replies, thank you all so much. I have seen my GP. Smear test and swabs next week and another TV scan at some point. I have these about 9 months because of an ovarian cyst.

I did see gynecology when that was first found. Do you think anything "nasty" would have been picked up on those scans or is there different tests for that?

I am worried about it. Constantly at the back of my mind, even though the bleeding has stopped now.
I will let you know the results. I hate getting older! But as they say the other option is even worse.
Thanks

[PollyPerky]

I didn't reply to your first post but if I had I'd have said that spotting is very normal during peri. The experience of Green is worrying but it's really very rare. Endometrial cancer or pre cancer in women who have not yet gone through menopause is extremely rare. Sometimes there can be a genetic risk or a lifestyle-related risk (not saying there was with Green but certain things like obesity can increase risk.)
You can read more here including how only 20% of cases begin before menopause. patient.info/doctor/endometrial-cancer

The usual action by GPs is to track you for a scan within 2 weeks for anything 'cancer related' BUT as you are not yet menopausal your symptoms don't count as post menopausal bleeding (PMB) which is when women are fast-tracked for a scan.

Try not to worry because the odds are it's all normal.

[scoobdoob]

Thank you Polly, that is reassuring. I don't think I know what normal is anymore!
My lovely GP just said expect the abnormal.

My mom has had endometrial and breast cancer so it is on my mind.