Tell me that it's not going to be bad news.....

[WorryingLadyBits]

NC'd. Thanks in advance for reading.

I'm worried sick about my health.
For over a year, I have been dealing with bleeding in between periods. My main periods are heavy and seemingly regular. I have a copper coil and take tranexamic acid to reduce flow. I often have 1 or 2 extra bleeds during the month for varying periods of time.
I occasionally bleed after inter course.

I have had the coil in for 7years.

I saw the GP to discuss the extra bleeds and excessive pain etc, I have been referred for a scan, smear (overdue ) and a hysteroscopy among with coil removal.

I suffer with awful period pain for 3 weeks out of the month approx, pelvic pain, back pain and leg pain. My right knee has been extremely painful for the last week. My IBS flares during my period.

I'm so scared of what they may find and wondering if anyone else has been in the same situation and what the outcome has been? GP has mentioned endometriosis, STI (unlikely) or even Cancer.

Anyone else have any experience of this?

[Akrotiri1]

Hi,

I know exactly what you are going through. I have had spotting/bleeding between periods since last Oct and as of yet to get a diagnosis. Like you, pain too and very heavy periods that stop all normal activities for 48 hrs.

So far I have had a smear, which has come back HPV negative, so hopefully not cervical cancer. I am not on any contraception.

However a large polyp was found, so was booked in for a colcoscopy appt. They actually found 3 polyps which were removed by forceps, then the more awkward ones by LLETZ.

I was also referred for a vaginal ultrasound, which showed clear on womb and ovary cancer (or that is what the lady doing the test) said, but with multiple fibroids.

I also have been advised that the pain 'could' be endometritus, so the next step is a laparscopy.

To date I am still spotting - I personally think it is hormonal, as at 45yrs must be close to/in peri menopause. However fibroids can also cause pain and bleeding between periods, and with the polyp removal procedure, can bleed up 4-6 weeks after the procedure, so a bit if a waiting game.

It is very easy to think the 'worst' especially when it takes so long to get a diagnosis. The problem I have is actually getting a dr's apt - our surgery has a 5 week waiting list.....

Keep positive - abnormal bleeding can be attributed to many things,

Good luck x

[WorryingLadyBits]

Thanks Akro

I'm early 30's with 3 DC's- youngest is 9.
I feel so stupid that I've missed my last smear.
Ultrasound this week and torn between wanting them to find nothing and wanting them to find something just to get an answer!
Ovary and abdo pain and bloating is unbearable sometimes.

I hope you start to feel better soon x

[ShellieEllie]

Sorry to hear what you're going through, irregular bleeding is no fun but more often than not it's not anything untoward just the joys!?! of being a woman I'm afraid!!! The scan will shed some light I'm sure. For me the mirena coil taken along with the mini pill has been literally life changing, tranexamic acid tablets did absolutely nothing for me. Try not to panic, you are not alone.

[Akrotiri1]

If it make you feel better, I was also late for my smear - I think the guilt of neglecting these can make us feel that we deserve whatever we get!!!!!

The pain you are experiencing sounds very like endo to me......mine feels like someone is rubbing barbed wire across my womb, painkillers hardly touch it, but a hot water bottle does provide some relief.

Fibroids are also very common, and if they get large enough can be painful and cause bleeding.

Keepig everything crossed for you and let us know how you get on x

[WorryingLadyBits]

Thanks ladies, appreciate the reassurance. X

[ElyElyOy]

Your symptoms sound very familiar: in me the cause is endometriosis. It took a laparoscopy to identify it, mine (like many ladies) wasn’t seen on ultrasound.

[WorryingLadyBits]

Hi all, scan this morning and sonographer said all looked ok.
Smear next week and hysteroscopy referral.

Not sure what the scan would have ruled out so still feeling confused?

[Akrotiri1]

If it was an abdominal, followed by a vaginal ultrasound, it would have been looking for abnormalities in the womb, and ovaries ie fibroids, cuysts and cancers.

I also had my ovaries measured for some reason......

My sonographer said the only thing she could see was fibroids, I have not heard anything back from the scan or had a recall, and was done over a mnth ago now.

My bleeding between periods has finally stopped, so think related to the polyps and subsequent removal. My last period was lighter too...

Just hope that I am all sorted now, as have had enough of people poking and prodding my privates!

Maybe they will find polyps when you have your smear, but the fact that nothing sinister has been found n your scan has to be positive.

Sending good luck vibes for your next procedures x

[WorryingLadyBits]

Yep, abdo and vaginal.

Hoping the smear will come back normal.
Coil will be removed during hysteroscopy apparently.

[Frog73]

I had bleeding after sex and was really worried about it. The consultant removed it there and then which surprised me and then I had 3 swabs done and a smear and everything came back clear and they sent the polyp off for analysis and that was clear too and the bleeding has stopped.. Waited about 2 weeks before having intercourse again because I was very scared that the bleeding wouldn't stop but it had. I'm 40 next week. Seems these things are more common as we get older