9 day period :(

[Poppytime]

I’ll preface this by saying I’m 43 so wondering if it’s age related. Period came as normal, usually done within 5 days, started to taper off and then seem to have fresh red blood days 8-9 … not had this before… my cycles used to be very regular every 28 days and the past year or so have fluctuated a bit more begeeen 26-31 days but the actual bleeding has always been consistent. I think it’s the fact it’s new blood that’s worrying me. Anyone else had this? I did an 8k run on Monday, could that that affected it? I mean it wasn’t totally out of the ordinary for me but can’t think of anything else different. I’ve booked a gp appointment to discuss stuff generally but it’s not until second week of June… any reassurance or experiences welcome so I don’t spiral into worry (prone to!).
thank you!

When I was in my late 20s, had had 2 kids, regular periods, I started bleeding more and more. I was using barrier contraception. Gp put me onto various contraceptive pills, which didn't help. In the end, I was bleeding permanently. I had a laparoscopy,D and C. It was fibroids. I was actually doing the gynae clinic with a young Australian registrar. I said to him, I wanted more kids,if there was no malignancy, leave me intact. At that point, I joined Bupa,who were crafty,they wouldn't cover any previous medical issues including gynae..

If it was only a one off, it would probably just signal a slight hormone imbalance which could very well just rectify itself.

If it's persistent then it would suggest perhaps a long term hormone imbalance that would warrant a GP appointment for some blood tests.

Id try not to worry yourself at this point and just keep an eye on any future patterns.

I'm the same age as you and have exactly the same, in fact it has now got to the point where I have light (but fresh) bleeding more days of my cycle than not. In my case it has been deemed peri menopause and I have an appointment next week to discuss hrt options. I should say I do have other peri symptoms, I'm already on vaginal oestrogen and having mood swings that are uncharacteristic for me. I'm kind of gutted to be so affected by peri at 43 but apparently it's not all that unusual.

I am thinking perimenopause especially as my cycles have started to be a little less regular. I’m not sure about other symptoms yet but I feel it’s a slow creep isn’t it? @MayaLui - has the oestrogen helped?

This happened to me.

I would suggest either fibroids (I have them) or peri meno. I am now on HRR and thank goodness it has stopped now.

When you go to your GP you may need to be quite firm - ask for blood tests, an ultrasound to scan for fibroids and a discussion about HRT.

Thanks - yes I’ll ask for bloods etc and a scan. I remember I had a benign cyst on one of my ovaries years ago (pre kids I think or at least only after one, can’t remember!) could be something like that?

@Poppytime the vaginal oestrogen is specifically for dryness which is another peri symptom I have, it has helped with that but it doesn't have a systemic effect so I will have to have something else for the other symptoms. From my reading I think it's likely the mirena coil will be suggested for the bleeding, that seems to be the typical first line treatment.

Yes i have one on my cyst as well as my fibroid friends and in the ultrasound they can measure it and advise you further.

My cyst was initially too small to require treatment but when I went back after months and months of bleeding it had grown. So definitely seek to get an update on it if you can. As well as checking for all the other things.

I got the Mirena coil for HRT purposes and then later Oestrogel.

Still going day 11/12 now - freaking out a bit. Trying not to google or ask chat gpt! Would fibroids etc typically follow pattern of elongating a period or just random bleeding?

Fibroids did this to me too, even though they were small and otherwise asymptomatic. Not everyone with fibroids gets all symptoms - it's so so varied.

If it turns out to be only one cycle I wouldn't worry about it. But if it becomes a recurrent issue then go to GP as it's always best to check out period changes if you don't know the cause (I assume you don't have fibroids that you know about, for example).

thanks @LizardyGuts - not that I know of, but who knows what’s going on in there!