Intermittent period or irregular bleeding?

[Almost2026]

I feel really stupid asking this question in my 40’s but how do you know if bleeding is an intermittent period or irregular bleeding?

I had a coil (been in 3 years) and had two others before this. I’ve never had periods while having the coil in.

For the last few months, I’ve started having intermittent bleeding, it can be from a day to 2-3 days and no regular pattern (ie not monthly).

I have been to the docs this week as having other symptoms (like pelvic pain) but I don’t know if it’s as hoc periods or other bleeding? Or if there is anyway of knowing.

How many times is it happening? If it's happening a few times across the month then yes it's Irregular bleeding.
How was your appointment? What plan for treatment or medication are you going to try?

I would say every 2-3 weeks. No particular pattern.
They took swabs, no results yet and booked me in for a smear and pelvic exam next week.

Is the pelvic exam just a doctor having a look then? Not a transvaginal scan etc? Well the smear is a good plan, just to make sure there's no issues there. Depending on what results come back, if they don't find much I'd ask for a transvaginal ultrasound.

What were the swabs for? BV, thrush or something else? Have you gotten them back yet?
You could check on the NHS app etc as you should be able to see.

On the bleeding, I think it is your period if it is every 2/3 weeks, but it is clearly more Irregular and your cycle has gotten shorter.

No scan yet, said let’s see what the swabs, exam (just looking) and smear says.

Not sure what she swabbed for, but assume what you said. She said around a week, which is today.

Maybe check the NHS app and see if it is in there. Or wait a few more days before you call reception, then you can go from there. Give us an update when you can but hopefully the results are useful

Nothing on yet, I’ve been checking. Will give them a call tomorrow. Thanks

Results of the swab just say normal NFA but not sure what they tested or if that’s both of them. I’m going in tomorrow for something else so will check

That's a good idea. The smear is likely just HPV, has that come back yet? The swabs are likely thrush and/or BV.

I'd get another appointment, or contact them again with an online form - for a new appointment as you won't have enough time in 10 minutes tomorrow. Say you want to discuss next steps after the results, when you have that appointment push for a transvaginal ultrasound to see what is happening. Try and do it when you have the most issues - so is it before or after your period? As in symptoms, pain etc.

Is the appointment with a doctor?

Is it for anyhting physical as sometimes things seem unrelated but can be, especially if you take medication for it, it could impact something else. Try and ask them to quickly check at the end but don't forget as they try to finish up in 10 minutes which is not a lot.

Had my exam & smear this morning, she said it all looked normal but was some Cervical Ectropion?.
All the previous swabs were clear - looks like they did a couple of STIs and the other just says - Sample culture No Target Pathogens
Shes referred me for a virginal ultrasound and a Colonoscopy but said it could be 4-6 months before I get an appointment.

That sounds good that she's gotten you an ultrasound and colposcopy. Even if it I'd a few months it can rule things out. Cervical etctropion does happen but it's not anything to worry about it can cause some bleeding/spotting but if everything else comes back clear then don't worry about it.

Thank you very much for your help!

Assume this means I have a UTI?

I have my ultrasound on Tuesday, so that’s come very quickly.

Have they said that? It seems pretty clear, so likely dealt with. Have you heard the ultrasound results?

Double post.

Ultrasound is Tuesday coming up.

Nothing about the UTI yet, I checked again Friday and then said lab test unavailable to be completed sample spoilt. No one contacted me so I called the GPs Friday afternoon and they have asked for another sample on Monday. Not started anti-b’s or anything. I’ve had quite a bit of lower back pain this weekend but not sure if linked or if I over did the gym on Friday.

Give us an update with the ultrasound, it's good to do another sample and get a good reading of whether you do have a UTI. Hopefully the ultrasound reveals something more specific