Suddenly longer periods Aibu to be worried?

[islandtiare]

Am really freaking out here as have health anxiety anyway

Had the Copper coil put in last August and my periods did get slightly heavier and more painful as expected but were still only 5-7 days long

Last 3 months they've got really weird

In May I spotted for 3 days then had heavy bleed like normal for 4 days then another 3 days of spotting so about 10 days

I was in a bit of pain as well so I went to the family planning clinic as my gp was worried my coil had moved. But it looked fine and the dr there checked my cervix and that was ok

Then last month (June) was similar but about 7 or 8 days

Then This month had 4 days light spotting 3 days quite heavy, thought I'd finished yesterday then today I've got bright red bleeding again (but quite light) so I'm on day 8 and really worried

Sorry for tmi btw. Has anyone else had this? Just really worried in case something is wrong. I'm 37 btw so hopefully not anywhere near menopause

Help!!!

To be honest, that all sounds normal. I think most women probably have bleeding for around 7 days if you count the slight coloured discharge at the beginning and end. I'm not sure why you think this is abnormal? Did you have really light periods before- maybe 3-4 days? This is from www.womenshealth.gov/

What is a typical menstrual period like?

During your period, you shed the thickened uterine lining and extra blood through the vagina. Your period may not be the same every month. It may also be different than other women's periods. Periods can be light, moderate, or heavy in terms of how much blood comes out of the vagina. This is called menstrual flow. The length of the period also varies. Most periods last from 3 to 5 days. But, anywhere from 2 to 7 days is normal.

I don't think you should count the light spotting at the end as 'bleeding'.

Stop worrying!

Yeah before the coil my periods were short and light like 3-5 days at most. Then they got a bit heavier and more painful once I had had the coil put in but still only 5-7 days

It's just the last 3 months I have noticed them being slightly "longer" if I count the light brown spotting when I wipe. But I'm such a massive worrier I don't know if theyve actually been like that since before that (if that makes sense) and I haven't noticed and it's only now I've noticed it that I'm stressing about it? Iyswim

Urgh I hate anxiety :,(

I was beside myself with mid cycle bleeding on the copper coil, it had turned into almost constant spotting. I managed to get a cancellation at the gynae on Tuesday as my appointment wasn't until August. As my scan was clear the gynae offered me a mirena, which I wasn't that keen on as I just felt sick of coils. Anyway she persuaded me and since then the bleeding has stopped along with the mega discharge. It transpired the last coil I had fitted was a different brand than all the others I have had before. I'm wondering if it was just that brand of coil that didn't agree or whether the fact the strings had gone up into my cervix had caused irritation. I completely understand your anxiety and was convinced it was something horrible. It seems it was just one of those things.

Try to step back and look at this a bit more rationally :)
Your periods are now about 3 days longer than before- if at all. It's not a big change.
The worst 'risk' with odd bleeding is uterine cancer. This is almost unheard of in women under 50 ( before the menopause.) It also doesn't show itself as just longer cycles, although really heavy periods are a concern. It's always / usually bleeding once periods have stopped completely. You don't fit into any of those categories.
Try not to worry because the likelihood is this is all caused by the coil.

Glad you got sorted nomore that must have been so worrying!

And polly thanks for the rational words, I know you're right. I hate bloody anxiety it's a fucker. my smear tests are up to date as well and they have always been clear so hopefully that's a positive sign too X

Just wanted to update In case anyone was interested

Had internal scan and all looks fine

Had the biopsy as precaution (ouch bloody hurt) but Gynae thinks all ok so fingers crossed x

Glad you're ok OP This kind of thing is so scary. Currently having a similar issue and worried sick even though it's probably/hopefully nothing.

Awww hope all is ok...I'm sure will be

The Gynae said its very normal and very rare that it's anything dodgy particularly in women under 50

Had my biopsy and swabs result and all is ok, fingers crossed yours will be too. Have you had your scan/biopsy yet? Feel free to keep posting for support and hand holding xxx

Aw thank you that's so sweet that helps I've been bottling up the anxiety a bit. Mentioned it to the doc and seeing them again this week to get it checked I had abnormal cells on my cervix in the past which I had treatment for but last smear last year was fine. Fingers crossed I'm just being a worrier! Glad everything is fine with you that must be a weight off your mind Xxx

Well that's a great sign that your smears are up to date and the most recent one was clear. Have you got the coil as well then? As apparently this is v common with the coil particularly the copper one.

I'm the same though, such a worrier. Sending

My copper coil was awful, I had massive long heavy periods for years. I have the mirena now and it's amazing. I can use the yellow Tampax for the first time ever!

Thank you island! I'm on the pill never had any probs til now but maybe I should switch to an alternative method as one of the main reasons for that was to make things regular and hassle free which it distinctly isn't at the moment . Oh the fun of being female!!