How does your period begin? Sorry if TMI!

[WS12]

Hi all!

Sorry if this post is a bit TMI, but I would like to know how your period starts as in when your period comes do you begin with spotting, straight into bleeding or brown coloured discharge for example ?

My period always begins with dark brown discharge, quite a bit of brown blood on Day 1, then normal period blood day 2 onwards...

I ask this as I recently read this can be a sign of endometriosis and my gyno thinks this is something I might have. Anyone else relate?

No pre warning. No cramp /spotting. It just arrives in all its bloody glory!

That's perfectly normal. There's a lot of other symptoms for endometriosis which your doctor should be looking at as well.

Mine used to just start with heavy bleeding, but since coming off the pill a few months ago i now get spotting for a few days and then brown discharge and then full flow (usually about 4-5 days after first spotting)

Mine is same as yours .

Bright red blood straight away. I have endo!

Ah right ok. Thanks for sharing!

Yes I have other symptoms of endo too... the only way they can properly tell would be to have surgery and if they find it they'd laser it off... and I'm not up for that yet, as I have two small children so just going to try and cope for now.

I always thought it was how everyone started but then when I read the article I thought oh maybe it isn't how everyone starts...

I always get a nosebleed either the morning or evening before.
Horrendous cramps and then bright red from start to finish

Oh @LittleAce poor you 😢

Mine are the same as yours. No endo.

However, if you're going to use this thread to allow yourself to put off necessary investigations, please think again. If you do have endo, it could lead to other complications which will have an impact on your health and quality of life, even if you don't want any more kids. Don't neglect your own health just because you have children to look after - it sure is inconvenient to have surgery when you're busy enough as it is, but not as inconvenient as, say, ending up with adhesions on your bowel. Go back to your gynae!

I get a heavy pulling feeling in my lower abdomen the day before and then a day or two of brown blood and then heavy bleeding for 2 days with lots of clots ( sometimes I get a few big ones that are about half the size of a golf ball 🤢😞 and one major cramp usually day 4 then nothing for a day and then one last day of gradually reduced bleeding ending on brown blood again.

It's been this way since my last baby 2 years ago.
I've got a titled uterus and scar tissue from 3 sections and a separate surgery there so no idea if that's a factor but it's like clockwork.

I get really painful throbbing and stabbing pains when I ovulate as well, do you get that?

Mine is the same as yours. No endo.

However, if you're thinking of using this thread to tell yourself to let things go, please don't. Endometriosis can leave you with nasty problems if untreated, even if you don't want any more kids. I know that surgery seems impossible when you're already busy, but the inconvenience is nothing compared to, say, ending up with adhesions on your bowel or something. Go back to your gynaecologist! Don't neglect your health just because you have responsibilities.

Sorry for double post! I thought the first one hadn't gone through!

I am on the implant, second one has just gone in after having my first replaced after the theee years.

I get terrible pain -either on ovulation or when my period is about due- when I go to toilet and open my bowels like serious pain! I also get shooting pains in my vagina and rectum and also loose bowels. Yey aren't periods fun 😭

I think I am scared they will do the surgery and won't find any endo. I feel like such a hypercondriac (not sure of spelling!). I also wouldn't be able to lift for two weeks and it could damage my bowels...

I will go back to the gyno as I also had a cyst I need to have checked which I think was causing painful sex so she will want to talk about the whole shabam.

I'm 30 and feel like my body is falling apart I feel so shit 😢

Your cyst could be causing those problems if it's grown. I had an ovarian cyst and it caused similar issues. Please go back. I understand that surgery is scary - I was terrified when I had my cyst removed and I was out of action for a while which with three kids and on my own was tricky. I really needed it done though and you may too. Wouldn't they scan you before doing surgery?

I have had two ultrasounds basically to investigate my pelvic pain, that's when they found the cyst. I went back three months later and it was getting smaller ans they were happy. The gyno then got sent the results. They couldn't see anything wrong with my insides all seemed fine, that's when gyno said about investigation surgery that I may have mild endo but they'd only know when they look and if they found any they'd laser it off.

That was six months ago so I'm due to go back now for another scan and I guess that's when we'll discuss how to move forward. Yes I think do I really have endo or is it this cyst or just irritable bowel syndrome? It's hard to tell.

nowadays the main sign it's coming is bad insomnia 1-2 nights before (I have bad insomnia normally, but this is especially bad).

No endo. I can only say mine never arrives with a flood, fairly red when it does arrive, I guess.

Ok if the cyst shrunk maybe it's not that. It does sound like surgery is the next likely step. That would be a laparoscopy wouldn't it? I've had one of those as well and honestly it was fine. The incision is tiny tiny and you'll be back to normal soon after. The risk of damage to your bowel is very low. If it is endo and they can get rid of it then and there, you'll feel so much better.

It's horrible to be facing this, I know - I was very upset when I found out about my cyst. You can get through it though. You're doing absolutely the right thing.