Spotting between periods - freaking out and anxious

[spacechimp]

I've booked an appointment with my GP for Thursday but suffer with anxiety, especially in relation to health stuff so really hoping for some hand holding in the meantime

I'm 43, regular cycles though they are gradually getting shorter and mostly around 25 days now, used to be 28-29, and when I was in my 20s and early 30s they were around 32 days. Not on any hormonal contraception. Am quite stressed at the moment due to work stuff and ongoing building work at hone

I had some period type cramps today and a shorter sharper pain low down on right hand side of abdomen, both of which I thought were weird, and then noticed quite a bit of spotting on wiping when I went to the loo - brown blood mixed with mucus. This is day 13 so I guess I could be mid cycle.

I did have a couple of episodes of mid cycle spotting and periods that started with spotting around 7 years ago, and saw private gynae for colposcopy and smear, and vaginal ultrasound. Nothing found, but the ultrasound did show an ovarian cyst which I had removed, though they didn't think that had caused the spotting, and a small fibroid that wasn't doing much and which they left

Nothing like that since, until today

I am worried about sinister causes, because I always do, but I had LLETZ treatment for CIN3 in 2007 and am especially paranoid about cervical cancer, though have had clear smears since then, plus negative hpv tests. Last smear was in 2016 and it was normal

I really want to get referred to a private consultant because I want to get thoroughly checked and I can't cope with waiting months for tests, (also aware of the NHS being under strain) so am hoping my GP will write me a referral letter and I will pay. I know I get very anxious and so find it hard to put things in perspective, but could this be as simple as hormonal fluctuations given that I'm coming up for mid 40s?

Crikey - sorry this is so long. Any replies very gratefully received

I've done this every month since I had baby 2 at 33. So about 10 years. It is day 10, always.

At the same age I had this spotting too and shorter cycles ... Now 45 and haven't had a period for 17 months. Got tested a year ago and am going through the menopause.

I had the same thing happening at the same age and when periods became every 2 weeks went to gp. I had smear tests, other tests to rule things out like chlamydia and then an ultrasound (on a Sunday!) all within two weeks although not under cancer referral.

All turned out absolutely normal. Just one of those perimenopause thing. A few months later periods stop all together, then came back normal for a few months and then again every 14-20 days with spotting in between and then again nothing! It's now gone on for over 4 years!

Could definitely be perimenopause.

You're on the young side (honestly) for it to be anything more sinister in a gynae way.

Thanks so much for the replies. I find it very hard to think about this logically, so they really help. I think also the fact that I have previously had treatment for cervical abnormalities is making me more worried than I might otherwise be

I hardly slept last night, and emailed the secretary of the private consultant I saw before, just to see whether I'd be able to be seen if my GP wrote a referral letter. She replied to say I didn't need one and there was a space in his clinic for this evening, so that's what I'm doing.

I now feel relieved I'm being seen but worried that he'll think I'm over-reacting about one incidence of spotting. All the advice I've read says that inter-menstrual bleeding/spotting needs to be investigated, and I just can't deal with being anxious the whole time for the next few weeks until to see whether it happens again next cycle

You're absolutely right, unexpected spotting should be investigated, so you're doing the right thing. The fact that your periods have reduced to 25 days is quite a good indication of early perimenopause, and spotting does go with it.

Think about it, it's horrible right now, but in a few hours, you'll have had the scan and in all likelihood be fine and you'll be able to resume life as normal and appreciate it even more.

Thank you swing - consultant was brilliant. Talked through everything and did pelvic and internal exam and I will be going back for smear and ultrasound so will be investigated. He was reassuring so hope it doesn't end up being anything awful

Did you get to the bottom of it? X