My periods have went all weird

[BuntyCollocks]

Since my period came back after having DD (17 months since it returned), my periods have been weird. Prior to having her, and after having my son, they were clockwork 28 days, bleed, stop bleeding, done.

I have been to the doctor, but have realised I think I have been describing my symptoms incorreectly. I was saying my period would start and stop for 5 days before coming on properly, but actually, what's happening is I am spotting, both fresh red and old brown blood for the 5 days before my period starts.

I've only noticed as I use a mooncup, and had been whacking it it as soon as I saw blood - and then finding nothing but a smear each of those 5 days.

What the hell causes this? Any ideas? I take it I need to be going back to the doctor (despite them being useless)?

Are u using contraception? After my DC2 mine were not normal. They improved after I lost some weight, but 5.5 years on they are better but still not back to 'normal'. I've had blood tests, scans, internals scans and had no real answer other than nothing is wrong with me. I no longer use any contraception with hormones in and have put it down to my body returning to its natural state, which it hadn't been in for 20 years. Now looking forward to menopause

Nope, no contraception other than condoms, as I felt so much better coming off the pill to ttc DS!

Have you been checked for fibroids? They are usually harmless but the hormonal change from having a baby can cause unexpected bleeding.

I haven't. All they checked for was that I wasn't pregnant. I'll definitely get myself back.

Are your actual periods what you would class as normal? Period pains normal, regular, no huge clots, flooding, pain with intercourse etc, as those are all things they will want to know about.

I have this too, I'm in the process of having it investigated. It seems common in endometriosis

Don't really get period pains any more, my periods are really heavy for the first couple of days then tail off very quickly. A little bit of pain if (ahem) he goes too deep.

Can you develop endometriosis? Never had it before that I'm aware of - although before kids and before I went on birth control at 17, I used to have awful periods, with flooding, going white, and taking days off school due to the cramps ...