AIBU to be worried about unusual bleeding?

[TinkyWinky55]

I posted in chat but I never get any response there! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Hi all,

I’ve been experiencing usual bleeding and some other symptoms lately and I wondered if anyone else has experienced this and knows what could be causing it.

A few months ago, I bled after sex. Since then, ive had spotting for days before my period arrived. Both of these things have never happened to me before. I’ve seen the nurse and my cervix looks fine. She has, however, diagnosed thrush. I’ve always been prone to this.

Another odd symptom is that my boobs are extremely sensitive before my period. This is completely new for me and began at the same time as the spotting and has happened every month since.

I’m wondering if it could be a hormonal change. But what could cause this? I’m 33 and have two children. Definitely not pregnant.

Awaiting GP appointment on the 21st. Just worried in the mean time!

Similar happened to me in my mid 30s, especially spotting the week before my period. It suddenly took a while to get started. Possibly very early hormonal changes? I've had a few ultrasounds over the past 10 years, when I was worried. Things have always been OK. I'm 49 now, closing in on menopause, but not quite there yet.

Thank you for replying @AlicetheCat. Maybe it’s that! Do you think that would affect fertility in that case?

Im glad your symptoms turned out not to be anything sinister. I can’t help but worry.

Are you on hormonal contraceptives atm, and/or have you been in the past? It took me ages to realise that my "unusual" symptoms were just my normal unmedicated cycles (I'd been on the Pill my whole adult life before I had my kids!)

I've name changed as this is very specific, but I am exactly the same age as you OP, also have 2 kids and have the exact same problem!
It started a few days ago, assumed my period was coming as I also had/have stomach cramps and lower backache. No period yet, but there's quite often blood when I wipe and the period-type symptoms have persisted. Had 2 negative pregnancy tests so I'm also going to make a GP appointment if it doesn't stop soon.

Hi @WalkerWalking, no I’ve not been on contraceptives for about 2 years, so not related to that unfortunately.

Hi @Lo0ps, fingers crossed your period arrives and it’s just a one time thing! 🙏🏻

Im really feeling concerned now as this is the 4th consecutive period that’s been like this.

I don't think it would necessarily mean decreased fertility beyond what is normal for mid 30s. Fertility supposedly starts to decline around age 35. The last ultrasound I had was a couple of years ago and the technician mentioned I was ovulating at time, which was interesting. I didn't realise that could be seen on an ultrasound. So that would have been a good ten years after I first started having the slow-start periods. It's hard not to worry about any bleeding that isn't usual for you, as there is so much advice about having any unusual bleeding investigated. Obviously getting things checked out is always a good idea, but it does seem that periods can change quite a bit over the years without there being anything sinister going on. Get things checked out, but try not to worry too much. Easier said than done I know. Like I said, I have been back several times over the years for reassurance.

I had exactly the same at your age, no reason found. Dr wanted to put me on the pill to "reset" my periods, but I declined. Went back to normal within 18 months.

That’s interesting @antelopevalley! Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m really hoping for a similar outcome!

Have you had covid or vaccine recently?

My boobs started getting v sensitive in my 30s. Looking back it was peri

@Bednobsbroomsticks i had my last vaccine in December and then had Covid in January. The changes started in March…

Oh really? I can’t believe it could start this young?

Could Covid or the vaccine be the cause of this?

Have you had a smear? I had bleeding after sex (more than once) and it was abnormal cells (non cancerous) that had to be frozen off. I also had a swollen stomach/achy boobs thing in my early 30's after stopping/restarting pill but I can't remember if the two were close together or not.

Hi @autienotnaughty, yes I had a smear 1.5 years ago. No abnormal cells. The nurse looked at my cervix last week and said all looked fine and didn’t feel there was any point in doing another smear yet.