To think mid cycle bleeding is common

[Fakinguntilyoumakeit]

Hi, I have been suffering from midcycle bleeding for 3 or 4 months. I get pain on my left side, which feels like a dull ache. It goes around to my hip and lower back on the left side. The bleeding is light, and only when I wipe and pinky red coloured. It is intimittent stopping and starting again over about 2/3 days. I am also constipated. I am 39, no pain during sex and no vaginal dryness.

What could this be? Has anybody experienced similar symptoms?

All sounds really normal if I’m honest. Same thing happened to me and at least four other women I know. At the moment, you can relax, no real cause for alarm.

I had that for a while. Scan showed thickening of the lining of the uterus due to age. Had a coil put in and it has stopped

The pain sounds very similar to pain I had from an ovarian cyst. They can twist, if that happens then pain is excruciating. Mine was on my right side, doctor told me they are more common on the right side because there is more room. Doctor also said majority of ovarian cysts are benign. I also had spotting ( but I'm much older than you) that was from a polyp.

I’ve had this in my 20s and had a scan and I had a polyp which was rubbing against the womb lining and bleeding sometimes. I had it removed with a minor procedure and it was fine. .

This happened to me each month, 1/2 way through my cycle, for most of my child bearing age. Right side always for me though. I’d probably get it checked by a doctor though just in case.

Thank you, I was just saying to dh this morning that it feels like something is part twisting at time. It feels really deep in my pelvis next to hip low down. Only, it is on the left side for me. It will be a dull ache usually, then all of a sudden it feels like nawing pain, almost like a tiny monster biting feeling!

My Mum had a cyst that was feeding on her period blood meaning she didn't menstrate, and thought she was pregnant. This was in the late 80s/early 90s. The pain got so severe, she demanded they investigate when the hospital were about to send her home Woth paracetamol. It ends up that she had a cyst that was the size of a watermelon, and it had started to decay. 😱If she hadn't have refused and left the hospital, it would have ruptured and killed her. Thank god the doctor felt no masses, and I'm not bloated or anything like that. I'm still getting a regular period. The doctor said it was good I was ovulating, so I'm taking that as a positive sign too.
I am due on my period on the weekend, so hopefully everything will be normal with that this month.
It is such an annoying and stubborn pain on the left, and I just know it is something. Even the gp said there is a million things it could be, and we just have to do the cervical kit, and the scan on my stomach, and to arrive with a full bladder.
My stomach is soft, and not tender. It doesn't hurt when examined, so the pain feels too deep.

Just an update. I have cervical etroption, and that together with my ongoing left pain and other symptoms the gp thinks may be endometriosis. She has put in an urgent fast tracked referral today. This is for a coloscopy appointment to take place within 2 weeks, then 2 weeks later there is a back up routine gynecology appointment to discuss possible diagnosis. I am to have an ultra sound scan too, not sure if that will take place with the coloscopy. Basically 4 weeks from today I will have some sort of diagnosis.

Should I be worried? Anybody been through this? I'm assuming they're just ruling everything else out, and the fast tracking is for precaution?

Why are you having a colonoscopy? Are you having bowel problems?
The ectropion is nothing to worry about, that’s what I had, it is harmless and usually just burnt off.

It is a colposcopy, not a colonoscopy. Similar names, but very different tests. I think i misspelt it as well, sorry!

Thanks, did they fast track you? Did you also have pelvic/back pain?

Oh sorry!! Yes, you know what? it was a while ago but I think they did. Because it got burnt off very quickly and I remember saying there’s a growth on my cervix but they had some more tests to do.

These symptoms are ones that raise red flags but even in the majority of cases where people are referred under the two week rule very few are diagnosed with anything sinister.

I think they’re being through and ruling stuff out, thank God for our.NHS! I know it’s scary but please try not to worry unless the time comes that you have to!!

@Fakinguntilyoumakeit Oh and I always have quite a bit of pain because of PCOS

I wish I had not read my medical record, the wording is very alarming, a tick box exercise. They have to rule out cancer but seeing "urgent fast tracked referral for suspected gynecological cancer" does not help. It does say cancer safety netting too, and gp has written "endometriosis?" I get they have to rule everything out, but the way it was worded made me feel sick.

Ah, thank you so much for replying. I am 39, with 2 little dcs, and the whole thing has made me feel a bit sick.
Yes, I am so grateful. The GP is a lovely lady, specialising in women's health. She is one of the best in the practice, and I am really pleased to be seeing her. She said she looks forward to hearing how I got on. Hopefully that means she is quietly optimistic. I was expecting my cervix to look normal. I have had all of my smear tests, my last one only 6 months ago, and they have all came back as normal. This morning was unexpected to say the least.

Well your cervix was normal 6 months ago so that’s really reassuring!

Look at it this way… a GP can’t ignore these symptoms on the balance of probability, if you go to a GP and report these symptoms it’s their duty to rule illness and disease out.

I really hope all goes well! Let us know how you get on! xx

Any new and unexplained mid cycle bleeding needs to be assessed OP. Despite what some of the armchair medics have been telling you, I’m glad you are seeing a good GP who has done the right thing by referring you.

A rapid/urgent referral will always cause anxiety but do remember that many, many people referred in this way do not have a cancer diagnosis and it’s important to rule it out first.

Thank you both. I have been contacted with an appointment for the colposcopy, it is in 2 weeks time. This was on the back of the GP referral this morning. It is worrying me that it is happening so fast, but I know they have to rule out the worst, even if there is such a tiny chance of it.

I'm trying not to worry, and to go about the build up to Christmas positively for my little dcs. Last year was bad enough, because my lovely dad died not long before it.

I had a colposcopy 2 weeks ago op with a punch hole biopsy and to be honest, it was nowhere near as painful as I was expecting (and I have health anxiety and cried at the thought of it!). I also had an ectropian which they cauterised as well as cauterising the biopsy site. Silver nitrate does give you a crampy tummy afterwards but it wasn't too bad.

Hope all goes well for you

Thank you @merryandbrightdelight that is good to know. Have they told you your results from the colposcopy? I wasn't sure if they tell you straight away, or later.

Gosh, the things women have to go through! I think I'll have to go alone, dh will need to pick the dcs up from school.

Spotted this at the end of my appt email:

You may also need a hysteroscopy (a fine telescopic examination of the uterus).

Had anybody had this before? Is it painful?

@Fakinguntilyoumakeit she said everything looked as it should, and took the biopsy from the site where the bleeding was coming from, and my letter that they sent the GP said about an ectropian. I'm still waiting for my results. I went on my own and it was fine, although I did overdo it the week after and caused some heavy bleeding, so just make sure you don't do too much

@merryandbrightdelight I am so sorry that you have been experiencing that. Have you rang up to ask about your results? I think you need to let them know straight away about the heavy bleeding.

My appointment for the coloscopy is in 2 weeks time. They have also said I may need a hysteroscopy which scaring me a little, as I have heard they can be painful.

I had a smear 6 months ago which was normal, all of my smears have been normal, and no abnormalities have ever been found in the past, which is why this has all been a bit of a shock. During the cervical examination yesterday the GP said she could see an inflamed red part on the bottom. It didn't bleed when she first swapped it, but it did when she did it a second time. She then said this and all of my symptoms with my left pelvic hip & lower back pain could be endometriosis, nothing about any chance of cancer was mentioned. She fast tracked the coloscopy referral and I received an appointment for 2 weeks time, just 2 hours after my gp appt.
I looked on my gp record app, and is says fast track referral for suspected cervical cancer, but then in the box she has written "?endometriosis ."

I couldn't sleep last night.

Oh I'm sorry you've read that - I avoid my NHS app as I do suffer badly with health anxiety and it causes it to spiral.

I did mention the bleeding but they said the same as I thought - I did too much too soon (boot camp, heavy lifting etc). I experienced similar after both of my ELCS. I haven't rang up about my results as the nurse did say she would be in touch, and I haven't had any letters through the door yet. My smears have all thankfully been normal up to now and I do bleed when I have them done as I have a retroverted uterus so I get sent to the clinic to get them done usually because the GP struggles.

I do know however that sometimes they have to say certain things to get scans etc. when I had an ultrasound the nurse told me that they have to use certain keywords because the scan requests usually go to a panel who decide if they can be granted

I hope everything will be okay with you, and that you get your results soon. It does sound positive that the sensitivity is the norm for you.
My smears don't hurt, the check yesterday didn't hurt. I am hoping this is a good sign "for me", because this is my norm if that makes sense. I wish the gp had have said if I look at my record not to be concerned. I've been an anxious wreck since reading that. I don't know if endometriosis can cause both the pelvic pain and the cervical etroption, but she did mention that. Suddenly the USS hasn't been mentioned again. I am wondering if this would be decided depending on the result of the coloscopy. She has written back up routine gynaecology app 2 weeks after the coloscopy to discuss underlying causes. I wonder if this is when they would do the scan if needed.

@Fakinguntilyoumakeit thank you - I have just rang up then as it got me thinking, but there wasn't any results, so the secretary is going to ask the nurse to chase it. It does sound like they may request the scan following any findings from your colposcopy. I found that my mid-cycle bleeding started after coming off the depo and between finishing my period and ovulating, so I am just hoping that it is hormone related. A friend of mine is a women's health nurse so it's been reassuring to chat with her. If you are worried, ring the clinic and explain that you've read your referral; I found that they were really understanding and explained why I'd been referred

@Fakinguntilyoumakeit hope you get on ok