Help me to decide whether to go to A&E in the morning

[Cailleach]

Briefly...have now had period for 20 days straight. Seems to be getting heavier as the days go by...bright red, no clots, not like normal period blood, used 9 pads in a 10 hour shift on Monday.

Am 43. Quick history of recent menstrual issues as follows:

• Age 36 - periods become thin, pale pink, last three or four days.
• Age 38-42 - periods disappear entirely.
• Sept 2019 - periods return, light and pale pink again, last three or four days.
• Last four months - considerable discomfort and bloating around ovulation in left ovary with masses of egg white mucus being produced over a two week period. Over the last six weeks ovulation appears to fail, no egg white mucus produced, appears to try again, huge bloating, constant need to urinate, once again fails to produce ewm, period comes.

20 days later, it's still going. Over the last five days, tenderness again in left ovary area...uncomfortable to press on lower abdomen. Strong need to urinate every half hour. Dehydrated. Fast heart rate. Nausea. Dizzy on standing. Sleeping 12 hours a day when not working.

Triaged by emergency clinic over the phone as no gp appointments left. Recommends A&E. Would have to get bus, 12 mile journey, really can't be arsed. Fell asleep sitting up at the dining table whilst considering this - that was 11am, woke up at 2pm. Went back to bed for a few hours (day off today and tomorrow.)

What are the chances of this period stopping soon? We are a tier 3 area and whilst I'm not bothered about the virus itself per se, I really don't want to rock up at A&E whimpering that "me periods mekking me reyt gippy sicky like" in the middle of a sodding pandemic.

Can any lurking medics or people with similar experiences advise?

My thanks in advance.

PS: family history of early menopause (40's)

In my experience, A&E does very little for menstrual issues. No advice on your actual symptoms but I really wouldn't recommend A&E.

Is it worth speaking to GP out of hours or trying again to get a GP appt tomorrow?

Good luck!

I'd keep trying GP rather than the hassle it sounds like A&E would be, unless you feel feverish and may have an infection, as they are unlikely to do much.

I'd call the GP first and try and get a telephone appt and see what they recommend. I can't really see what A&E could do to help. I think you probably should be referred to the hospital but I'd imagine that'd be through your GP

Tenderness is not good.

I had a massive cyst that nearly burst, ovary was removed.

If 111 said to go a and e, then I think you should.

Can you get a taxi? Or a lift?

The only thing that bothers me (I'm a nurse) is the heart rate and feeling wobbly/tired, as that could be infection. However could also be low Hb due to the bleeding. Keep your fluids up and take iron in the meantime and really insist on GP appointment by the end of the week. If you have a fever go to A&E though.

Any periods that show up after a prolonged period of time needs to be investigated.

Can you not get a GP referral?

I can't get a lift, taxi would cost a bomb. If not for the lower abdominal discomfort, exhaustion and nausea I would just leave it....usually I just tough things out, don't even take painkillers but I feel well weird at the moment.

Will probably sleep on it and decide in the morning.

That’s quite an extensive history. What has you GP said when you have visited way back when symptoms became troublesome?
Any refers to gynae?

Cheers Lard...no temp though thank goodness.

"You're too young for menopause."

The end!!!! Tbf I was delighted they'd stopped so didn't care too much.

Unless you're acutely unwell- likely to be anaemic from the blood loss.
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded. I think it would be better to try and get in with your own GP. Or even try to ring for an Out of hours GP now -111.

If the clinic told you to go to A&E, then I think that's what you should do.
Do you live alone? Or is there someone who could call for an ambulance for you if it should become necessary? If you live alone then getting help would definitely seem more sensible.

I'm trying to remember the details, but I think there was someone on here a few years ago (or maybe less, if it didn't happen today or yesterday I have no sense of time), but the woman was bleeding through a pad an hour and was told to go to hospital. It turned out that this advice saved her life.

Definitely see a doctor or go to A&E today. Any bleeding like this after your periods have stopped needs investigation. It's a classic sign of some really nasty things like ovarian cancer. You need to get an ultrasound scan of your pelvic region to rule out serious issues.

Could it be ectopic pregnancy?

No chance of pregnancy, sorry should have mentioned that.

I will see how I feel tomorrow. Thanks to all for advice.

You had no periods at all for 4 years? You definitely need to see a doctor and be referred ASAP. Bleeding after 12 months or longer of no periods needs to be investigated under the 2 week rule

My periods restarted in Sept 2019 and have been regular, albeit light, since then.

Is there no-one who could give you a lift to the hospital in the morning?
Where do you live? Someone on here may be able to take you.

Don't wish to worry but I'm sure I saw something recently about bleeds after periods have stopped need to be investigated to rule of sinister causes. I suppose it depends for how long the periods had stopped before they restarted though?

Seriously you’ve had medical advice to go to A and E and you are faffing around asking strangers on the internet? Take the medical advice you’ve had on triage and get there!

Definitely go. Sorry it's shit. Hopefully nothing to worry about but better to regret going than regret not going.

Unfortunately not no. There are regular buses to town, then a two mile walk, nothing major. It's not too much of a problem, I just don't want to bother A&E at the moment and frankly I don't think they'd be impressed by my turning up there anyway.

Lower abdominal bloating and bright red bleeding should be checked out. With the other symptoms you have I would do as the emergency clinic suggest and go to a and e.

I think you need to be examined. Like pp have said your symptoms sound like something might be going on in your ovaries /womb/cervix. Not something you want to ignore. It's not just a period. Demand a scan (easier said than done, I know..)