Abnormal bleeding

[ShirleY43]

I hope someone can help as I'm really worried... I have posted on here a long time ago, but have had to set up new name etc as had forgotten old details. I've had a very light spotting after bowel movements in last few days (since thursday). Really worried as googled this late at night and all I can see is uterine cancer in every search. I'm 43. I am often worried about my health any way, particularly as a single parent of two young children, but this has really disturbed me. Don't know how I'm going to sleep. Does anyone know what else this spotting could be? It is very very light, but definitely there. I'm on day 14 of my cycle, but think I ovulated on day 11, and as I say, this spotting started on Thursday and has continued so not an ovulation bleed. Any responses really welcome as I'm feeling a bit desperate and alone.

Are you bleeding from your vagina or bowel?

Any chance of pregnancy? Could be implantation bleed.

Could also be related to ovulating, pre menopause a uti, thrush, bv, sti

Or if bowel

Piles, polyps, ibs, slight tear after constipation?

Dr google tends to catastrophise!

Thank you Baconymum. Definitely from vagina. Couldn't be implantation as I've only just ovulated. I don't think could be an ovulation bleed as going on too long. Could be a pre- menopause issue I suppose, just seems so odd and my cycles so regular. Thank you for getting in contact. Yes. Wish I hadn't googled.

Contact your practice nurse/GP I'm sure they'll reassure you.

I have OCD and get anxious about my health too it's horrible, but just remember if you hear a stampede think horses (minor irritating body cock up) rather than zebras (terminal cancer)

I'm also 43, just last few months my periods have gone wacky as! It happens.

Please don't google search what your health issue is as it will throw out a load of crap and make you more anxious. Are you sure it's not early menopause or maybe you have a pile that's bleeding, be brave and see your GP asap don't worry until you've have a proper diagnosis no point worrying about the Unknown goodluck

Thank you Tracie and Baconyum. I don't think it is a pile as definitely from vagina rather than bowel, it just happens with the bowel movement. I will see GP asap but can't today as bank holiday. It will probably be difficult getting an appointment tomorrow as I don't think it will be classed as an 'emergency'. I don't know about early menopause as I haven't had any other symptoms suggesting that... Thank you both for getting back to me.

Glad you're feeling a little calmer. You might have more luck getting an appointment if you mention you're anxious and are also willing to see the practice nurse (nurses are amazing there's very little they differ from drs in mainly what they can prescribe).

Also...(awaits shock from op)...we ain't that young for menopause. Average age for symptoms to become noticeable is 45-55.

When you consider it's a gradual onset like puberty then add in people like ourselves that are hypervigilant and anxious and we probably notice symptoms earlier than most.

Have you looked up cervical ectropian? When your womb grows slightly onto your cervix. I've had it and would spot when opening bowels. Easily fixed and nothing to worry about.

Could be cervical polyps. Just had mine removed. When was your last smear?
If you can't get into docs quickly your nearest sexual health clinic can give you a full mot so to speak to rule anything obvious out. So smear, Sti checks and a look about obviously for polyps etc.
Mine was picked up on smear.

I would also go to a GUM clinic for a full screen and check up. It's the quickest and efficient way as those parts of the body is what they do.

Hello,

I have this sometimes and have had it checked by a top gynae and was told it's one of those things. Can't remember the acronym they used but basically it's pretty common and don't worry too much. Unexplained
something or other bleeding.

I would def get it checked as it's very worrying but I had scans and god knows what and was told not to worry.

Good luck!

Thank you everyone for all of these very supportive responses. Friends and family in r l are long fed up with all my worries so I've learnt to keep them to myself, but that's when mum's net comes into its own. Yes you're right Baconyum, there is a very long window for onset of menopause symptoms. It's just weird as my cycles and ovulation etc all so predictable, this just came out of the blue. But yes, I do see your point. Mince pies, I have actually been told I have cervical entropy/ erosion ie there's a little vessel sticking out. However, it seems strange that I have not bled after sex, which I thought would happen too? The spotting comes after a bowel movement. Funko and gamer chick I did have a smear and a cursory check in August 2015. Riverside runner, your experience is interesting. So did you get the bleeding all through your cycle? And how much of it? Thank you, all of you, again. I really appreciate your support.

Maybe the real worry is that you worry too much ? :)

Uterine cancer is rare and almost unheard of in women under 50 or who've not been through the menopause. So cross that off your list for now!
The danger signs for that are bleeds that happen after no periods for ages-ie years.

Your spotting could be due to all sorts- most likely hormonal. And 3 days post ovulation is not too late really.
Or it might be your cervical erosion- that's when the delicate cells inside the cervix grown outside and bleed when they are nudged by something, but they might bleed anyway.

Go to your GP but meanwhile don't start thinking it's the Big C when it's most likely 'nothing'.

Thank you polly perky for your encouraging post. You are right that my anxiety is a longstanding issue too! I really appreciate your understanding and reassuring advice.

Thank you navy and white. I've made an appointment for next Monday. How much bleeding/ spotting did you have? Did anything particular seem to provoke it? And are you a similar age to me(43)? Thank you for getting back to me and for your support. I'm feeling a bit calmer about the whole issue now, but have to make when effort to keep anxieties at bay!

I had this. My GP told me it was impossible and I must have been bleeding from my rectum 🙄.

Another, less idiotic, doctor told me it was hormonal (I was BF at the time). Sure enough, it went away completely after a few months.

I got the bleeding randomly, often for days at a time. Still do, though not as much as it used to be a year or two ago. And I'm a similar age to you.

HTH!

First, thank you to all of you who have posted on here for your support. I saw the GP today. She looked at a scan I had some time ago, but about which I had never really had a satisfactory account. Apparently there was 'an area of vascularisation' which could indicate a polyp, although 'no polyp was delineated'. There was also a fibroid. The GP is referring me to a gynaecologist for an internal scan with a camera, again, and said that the gynaecologist could probably remove the polyp (if there is one). However, when I expressed my fears about uterine cancer, she was not particularly reassuring, she said,'it is something we want to exclude but there is nothing too alarming here'. She also asked if I had private insurance, I said no, yo which she answered, 'that will mean the nhs then which could be a six week wait.' So, I'm not particularly encouraged after the appointment. Although thankfully the spotting has stopped since Monday, so I'm calmer than I was. But should I just pay for a scan? Thank you for reading.

Bit odd it wasn't mentioned/commented on during smear however... I am suspecting I had my polyp when had a previous smear at standard gp practice and they were concerned only with taking the sample and not a thorough look. So when I was at sexual health clinic getting my coil and they did smear... They did a proper job!
I'll definitely be getting my smears done there in future I think. It's their area of medicine obviously!

Try not to worry. I also had to wait several weeks for appointment for removal and am currently awaiting histology. Doc said at the time of removal he was 99.9% confident all was well and just a formality just incase X

Oh and if they can remove polyp if easily accessible they will do so there and then, you won't have to wait again.

Thank you, Funko. That's interesting. I'm not very good at waiting but I suppose I'll just have to. I think it is about £400 for a private scan. Very reassuring for you that the doctor was so positive.

I think if your smear in August came back clear for no cell changes then I personally wouldn't worry too much and just take the appointment when it arrives. If there was more concerning symptoms I'd go private. That's just me though and it's your health and peace of mind at the end of the day.

Funko, if you are considering a pelvic/ trans vaginal ultrasound scan to look at uterus/ovaries then it should only be around £100. If you do an online search then you should find somewhere local to you. I paid and had had my scan the following day.