Perimenopause? Spotting before and after periods.

[ilovethesummer]

I'm 43 and have had heavy periods causing anaemia for the past few years. My mother starting having heavy periods in her early 40s and went through the menopause at around 46/48, so I assume I will follow a similar pattern. I've been to the Doctors about the heavy periods and she thinks it's my age. I had a smear a year ago, all fine, and an abdominal ultrasound and transvaginal ultrasound 6 months ago, both fine. My GP also had a look at my cervix and said it looked fine.

My periods have always been very regular and normal, although has become shorter in the past few years, since I've had children, every 23/24 days instead of every 28.

6 months ago I had 4 days of spotting before a period and 4 days of spotting after it finished. So from start to finish was 2 weeks. I checked with my GP and she said it was fluctuating hormones and not to worry about it. She said that spotting for a few days before or after a period is quite normal (although I've never had it in 30 years of periods). Since then I've had a couple of normal (heavy) periods with just a few days of spotting before.

However this month I had an afternoon of spotting mid-cycle and then with my last period had 4 days of spotting before and after, so 2 weeks altogether.

Sorry this is long!!! Do you think these symptoms could be the perimenopause? Or would you ask to see a gynae?

Thanks.

A year ago, it was fine. Where is the menopause topic? Thanks.

Thanks KerryMumbles.

I often have spotting around day 14 and then recently have started having another bout about 5 days before my period.

Did see the GP about it last summer who sent me for a scan which then reported 2 "growths" was referred to the hospital for an op. Surgeons found nothing and to this day I reckon the sonographer was looking at my 2 c- section scars.

Only you can make the decision whether to see the gynae. I'm not going back thats for sure. I'm 45 and put it down to hormones.

eat your veg, the spotting was around day 14 or thereabouts.

Interesting story about your hospital appts last year, you must have felt annoyed with the sonographer for putting you through that. Don't blame you for not going back!

Annoyed is an understatement!

I bet! It must have been very stressful for you. I had 3 biopsies last year for a breast lump and altogether it took 2 months and talk of a possible mastectomy before the consultant could confirm that all was ok. It was thought I had a rare type of breast disease. Very stressful.