Erratic Periods

[Em2121]

Hi -

I went to the GP about my crazy periods (unpredictable cycle, very very heavy, massive clots, but not unusually painful) the other day, and have been referred for an ultrasound to check for fibroids. Although it doesn't seem to entirely fit my symptoms, it makes sense as a Step 1, as it's pretty easy to rule them out. Step 2 will be a referral to a gynae, and a biopsy.

So, here's the thing. My mum had cancer of the uterus at my age (41). She was very fit at the time (I remember someone from her yoga class suggesting she train as an instructor leading), pretty much teetotal, rarely ate meat, a non-smoker, and slim - i.e. none of the risk factors for cancer. Cancer of the uterus is very unusual in someone that young, so it seems likely that there was a genetic component to it.

I'm frightened. Sitting here trying to focus on work, and failing entirely. Need your reassuring words, please, ladies.

x

I'm the same and it's simply our age. Peri menopause kicked in at around 37 for me. I had all the checks fine and was recommended the mirena coil. I can understand your worry. Get everything checked to ease yot concern. I'm sure everything will be ok. Please try not to worry too much. Easy for me to say of course.

There are many many reasons why you might be having these symptoms - I had the ultrasound check for fibroids when I was only a bit older than you, and in my case the crazy periods turned out to be perimenopausal stuff. I'm on HRT now and life is a lot easier.

And - if you are right, if we go straight to worst-case-scenario, then many years have passed since your mother suffered. Many years' worth of improvements to treatment and expertise; many years' worth of knowledge about early-identification. Please don't think that her experiences then will mirror yours.

Have you told your GP about the family history? I'll be thinking of you - the very best of luck.

Thanks so much for this. It crept up on me a few months, and my thought was exactly that - that it's my age and that this is just my "new normal". I only called the Dr. because the last period I had was 5 days late, off the scale in heaviness, and 3 days long. It was a real shock to the system, and I couldn't function normally.

I told the GP about my mum, and her response was "she was HOW OLD?", followed by the comment about Step 2 being biopsy. My mum had a hysterectomy, and 6 months of pretty gruelling chemo. She struggled to get her diagnosis, because they didn't take the potential for cancer seriously in someone her age. I know things have changed hugely since then, thank goodness.

Pop psychology time - part of this I am sure is coming from the 12 year old in me who was scared about her mum being poorly. My daughter is 11, and after that appointment, I had a horrible feeling of history repeating itself.

If nothing else, I will get some reassurance that it's nothing sinister, and some transexamic acid or something :-). In the meantime, MUST. NOT. GOOGLE.

I have so much sympathy - I lost my mother to cancer when I was a teenager and she was in her 40s. When your own children get to the age you were, or when you get to the age your mother was, it throws up a lot of weird feelings - I spent a ridiculous of time almost assuming history would repeat itself (it hasn't - I've outlived her now).

So yes - I absolutely understand why you're worried. Just keep on not googling :).

Thanks for the message Hassled - sorry about your mum, that must have been devastating to deal with.

Deep breath, back to work.

xx