Strange bleeding

[FannyBazaar]

I'm 43, I've been having changes to my normal period pattern off and on for 5 years now. I have bleeding in between cycles which is not at all like menstrual bleeding, this has mostly settled to bleeding after a bowel movement in the days between ovulation and period with some occasional other spotting. Sometimes bleeding from vagina when I pass urine. I also tend to get very tender breasts in this time, aching when I remove my bra, the pain is on the sides. Ovulation tends to be painful, abdominal pain lasting days.

Periods have been a bit stop start recently, sometimes bleeding for just two days, others bleeding for a day, stopping for 2 days then starting again for 3 or 4 days. No cramps and never heavy bleeding. So erratic, was trying to plot periods but never quite sure whether to call it a period or not because one minute I'm bleeding like a normal period and the next time I check it seems to have all stopped.

Is this normal perimenopausal symptoms?

I have been to the doctors a few times, they said 'too early', I have ectropian of the cervix and had a couple of scans, first abdominal ultra sound fine, second TV ultra sound showed thickened lining, biopsy showed nothing abnormal.

Should I go back to doctors? I am really reluctant to have exploratory surgery unless it seems likely there is something abnormal.

Your cycle can indeed go all over the place during the perimenopause. But you should never ignore symptoms just because of your age.

Yes, it'd be worth going back - you're still on the young side for early nnopausal changes, and you have noted that the bleeding is associated with urination and defecation (and I don't remember ever seeing that as a menopausal thing). There are still benign causes, such as polyps. Or indeed menopause. But with other stuff, I think another round of investigations would be worthwhile.

You may be simply low in progesterone which can cause bleeding throughout the month. I had a friend like this and progesterone tablets controlled it.
But you do need to go back. You shouldn't have a thickened lining really .

It does all sound menopausal which is why a series ( not one) of blood tests might be useful .