To be really scared about spotting plus bleeding after a BM

[Fudgingit85]

Posted on women’s health but reposting her for traffic: For a few months, I’ve had spotting for quite a few days in the lead up to my period - so much so that I’m not really sure when my actual period starts anymore. I also notice that when I have a bowel movement (particularly if I strain a bit 😳) there’s sometimes red blood from my vagina on the tissue when I wipe.

I don’t know why but I just dismissed this as possible perimenopause changes (I’m 43) but something prompted me to Google it tonight and now I’m terrified. I don’t think I have any other perimenopause symptoms (apart from tendonitis in a couple of places when I’ve never had that before).

Many years ago I had treatment for cervical erosions - the symptoms then were bleeding after sex. I don’t get that symptom now which is why I think I’ve just been dismissing it. I’m going to make a Dr’s appointment but I’m so scared - all I can think is if it’s something awful, I could’ve prevented it getting worse by being seen ages ago. I know there will be people with stories like that where it didn’t turn out well but can anyone please reassure me?

Sorry, didn’t mean to enable voting - just wanted some reassurance until I can see a GP

Email GP with abnormal bleeding - you should get seen quickly - good luck xxxx

Thank you - yes I was going to do one of those e-consults (when it opens) as you seem to get seen much quicker that way.

I have severe endometriosis and irregular bleeding/spotting and vaginal bleeding on opening my bowels are symptoms. I have also had other issues for many years though, such as chronic pelvic pain, very long heavy and painful periods and postcoital bleeding. I have had these problems since my teens but it got a lot worse as I got older.

Oh you poor thing @neverbeenskiing I have a friend who has endometriosis and it sounds awful.

I don’t have any other symptoms at all so I’m assuming it’s not that?

Any “I had that and it all turned out fine “ stories. Sorry, but I will worry myself sick about this till I know what it is😔

I started having bleeding after bowel movements quite a few years back (around 5-6 years). I was referred to the hospital and had a scan and other tests. They just said it was due to cervical erosion/ectropian. It only happened occasionally over the years. As I've got older (over 40) it definitely happens more often, but only ever the week before I'm due on my period. All other times it's fine. I've had at least 2 normal smears since it first happened as well as the hospital appointment saying not to worry. I may mention that it's getting worse to my doctor at some point but I don't feel particularly worried as I know it has been investigated.

Thank you @MuppetTime Glad to hear it was all ok for you and hope it continues to be the case. I think my spotting tends to start about half way through my cycle , same for the bleeds after a BM- not sure if that would mean it’s limited to ovulation?

Yeah sometimes I only get spotting as well. This can start anywhere from 7 days before my period. If its just spotting its normally just brown light spotting. If its after a bowel movement its bright red and much more but then turns brown after. It is strange I admit. But as I've had it quite a few years now and no one seems worried I just accept it now. (Oh I've also had fertility tests and treatment since having it and they've never been worried or picked up on anything).

Similar to me - the spotting is normally pink/red but if after a BM, it’s pink/red then turns brown.

I think I’ve had a few occurrences of blood after a BM over the years but it’s just that it’s now coupled with the spotting that I’ve been concerned.

Did an e consult and just got a message back to say I need to book a GP appointment. Normally when I do one of these, they call me within 24 hrs to discuss my problem and then see me soon after if necessary. Goodness knows when I’ll get an appointment…

Saw the Dr today. She’s going to do a swab (couldn’t do it when I saw her as period just finishing) and probably send me for ultrasound to check out my ovaries. Felt my stomach and all felt fine. She asked if there were any female cancers in the family which worried me a bit.

She said as it always happens in the week leading up to my period, it could just be my period sort of leaking out just before it starts but obviously need to rule out other possibilities. I’m trying to put it out of my mind but I know it will niggle at me until I know what it is.

GP examined me and decided a swab wasn't necessary as my cervix looked ok but I'm having an ultrasound to check ovaries etc. I had a blood test and just got a text from the GP saying the results were normal but 'one of the blood tests for bleeding was slightly above the normal limit' so they want to repeat it again to check it's in the normal range.

I had managed to stop worrying about all this until I saw that result. I'm really panicking now - what could that mean?? I wasn't on my period when I had the blood test - but could the regular spotting have caused this result in the blood tests?

Well I thought I was the only one! I’m 39 and have been spotting a week or so before me period for a year or so. Started off a tiny spot but now I can confuse it with the start of my period! So spotting and then nothing for a week or so. I went to the GP who examined me and saw a very small ectropician(spelling!) and referred me for an ultra sound which found nothing unusual!! Still happening, I’ve put it down to hormone changes. Have since found out this has been happening to my best friend too….

Hi @Firtrees - it’s annoying isn’t it?? Are they going to laser it off (I had that in my 20s and had a colposcopy and laser treatment which sorted it out).

It’s the blood tests that are worrying me - does this mean I’m bleeding somewhere? Or could it just be I’m losing a little more blood than usual due to the spotting and that’s what it’s picked up?

Just had my blood test repeated and the nurse commented that my blood flowed easily and asked if I was on blood thinners (I’m not). I’m sure it was an innocent comment but I’m such a worrier about stuff like this, I’ll be overanalysing it for hours..🙁

Had the ultrasound which showed adenomyosis - which is cystic areas in the muscles of the uterus. Nothing to worry about unless I get painful or very heavy periods. Fine.

So just as I’d decided it was all sorted and I could stop worrying about it, I noticed the tiniest smear of blood when wiping after sex the other day. This is a new symptom. Could the adenomyosis cause this? I need to go back to the gp now don’t I? 😩

Just thought I’d update - went back to the dr who thinks this is all hormonal and has decided to put me back on the pill to see if that helps (I’ve been off it a few years).

I’ve just started Rigevidon - been on it about 2 weeks and I’ve noticed I feel quite itchy down below. I don’t think I have thrush as that’s the only symptom. Could the pill be causing this?

@Fudgingit85

Hi! We've chatted before about the above. My story is so similar to yours. Bleeding after BM movement a week before my period. Sent for scan. Diagnosis of adenomyosis. I was satisfied with this and felt glad I'd had a diagnosis which gave a reason but today I've experienced some light spotting after sex. I noticed you'd experienced the same. I'm now worried that there's something wrong and they've not got the right diagnosis. I should add smear last year clear. Just wondered if your bleeding after sex persisted or if it was part of the adenomyosis/ stopped after you went on the pill? I'm not on the pill as symptoms didn't really bother me but now worried it's something else!

Hi @Lollyl88 I’ve been back on the pill all this time and not had any problems since. The spotting you’re getting after sex is very likely because of the adenomyosis but obviously get it checked anyway. And remember, even if it’s not due to that, there are lots of other potential non-scary causes too and it’s good that you had a normal smear last year.

Would the pill be an option for you? I’ve had no intermittent bleeding/spotting since I went back on it.

@Fudgingit85 thanks. I've got another scan to work out what type of adenomyosis I have so will mention it then! Just worries the hell out of me all the time. I have thought about the pill but am 38 and so don't want to start something I'll have to come off eventually for menopause!

Oh, I didn’t know there were different types? I was just told I had it and that was it.

i know what you mean re the pill but it’s worth considering if it could potentially get rid of the annoying spotting/bleeding - let us know how you get on. X

@Fudgingit85 yes. Apparently so. GP referred me to a gynae after having scan, but I went privately. The report the sonographer did was too brief for him to review and he didn't have the scan images so going for another scan next week. I think you can have it specifically just in one area of the womb, or throughout the womb. So hopefully they can give a bit more info!