3 mths bleeding and an internal exam

[MyNameIsAlexDrake]

i’ve been in perimenopause for a few years now. Initially it was ok, skipped a few periods, had light ones in between.
The last 2 years though I’ve started to experience a few very heavy bleeds, some lasting a month or so but I’ve just went with it as a heavy time would mean a few months of nothing.

things have ramped up big time this year. Bled throughout March / April / May, nothing June. July light, august light. September started light but carried on through the month.

October to now - mental heavy heavy bleeding. Soaking through a towel within minutes, huge clots, so debilitating. Had a phone consultation with a doctor in November and given progesterone tablets to stop period. Tablets worked a little but didn’t stop bleeding entirely. Ran out of tablets around 8th December and since then things ramped up again. Soaking through pads nights and day, in physical pain.

i’m pretty sure what is happening is that I’m producing estrogen ok, but my progesterone has dropped of due to perimenopause.

Called doctors surgery on Tuesday as couldn’t take it anymore. Doctor took blood tests and gave more progesterone meantime. Got results today, my thyroid is fine, my blood count is fine (really! I’ve been bleeding for 3 mths) but my hormones are inbalanced so I’m likely menopausal (no shit Sherlock).

thing is though I’ve been called back for ‘tests’ when I asked what the test was I was told an internal examination. ‘but I’m actively bleeding’ I said, yes said the doctor but we need to check. IS THIS NORMAL? I already feel horrible with bleeding so long and now a doctor wants to do an internal exam? I’m in tears at the thought, like I’m being punished for seeking help. I don’t want an examination, I just want help.

This is entirely normal and appropriate. The doctor will want to check and see if the blood is definitely coming down from the womb rather than from the cervix or vagina. They may well take a Pap test and swab for infections. They will be able to get an idea of if your womb is enlarged (eg from fibroids).
They will not care if there is blood and it is all a bit messy. Honestly, they won’t care at all.
Go and get it done then they can move on to treating you.

Why do you think it’s punishment?

If your foot was bleeding, you’d expect a physical examination, at the very least.

They can’t begin to diagnose things without a proper look.

Are you in the UK @MyNameIsAlexDrake?

I always ask when someone posts in the middle of the night UK time because there is a big difference with meno treatment in different countries.

An internal exam- do you mean by your GP? Looking at your vagina and having a feel of your tummy?
The usual route with what you have is an ultrasound scan by a gynaecologist /referral to one. You need a scan of your womb to see if you have fibroids or anything else like that. A GP won't be able to make a true assessment simply by feeling around.

If I were you I'd make an appt to see your GP but insist on a referral for a scan.
That's what you need, not a GP looking and feeling.
If you aren't up to date with your smears that's another issue altogether.

You need the internal examination and look around to check the cervix but also need the referral. Most gynae clinics expect the GP to have done the internal examination and to send those details with the referral.
If you just do the scan you miss other causes of bleeding.

Don't worry the GP will have done many examinations on women who are bleeding.
Hope you get it sorted.

I've never heard of anyone being examined when there is so much bleeding.

It's hard to see anything going on with a cervix if someone is bleeding as much as the OP - it's different if it's just spotting that could be an ectropion. Any growths or redness will be hard to see and still need further investigation.