Ladies only question

[ChrisnSteph]

Seriously - if you're a dude, stop reading. We're going to talk about periods! If you keep reading, don't say I didn't warn you!

Here's the deal. For the past several months I've been having weird periods. Now I've never been "regular", meaning I never start at the same time every month. But lately I've been having brown spotting for up to a week before my period starts, and then for several days afterwards. I don't know what to make of it. When I asked the doctor at my last visit, all she said was "that happens sometimes when you get older". Ok... Anyhow, I have a history of ovarian cysts and endometriosis. I had a laparoscopy in 2001 for a large cyst, and they discovered and removed a little endometriosis while they were in there. Other than a painful cyst every now and then, I haven't had any problems until now. I have a little discomfort (not painful) where my right ovary is, and I've been gassy lately which is really unusual for me. There is no chance I could be pregnant. What the heck could be going on? I've looked on the internet (which is the worst thing you can do) and it gives me everything from a hormone imbalance to ovarian cancer. Any advice?

 

[grinningghost]

Sounds exactly like mine Steph. Brown spotting, then it goes away for a few days, then the real thing comes along. Been like that since I was about 34. I'm 41 now. Doctors have all chalked it up to hormone fluctuations due to perimenopause.

I've just gotten used to the weirdness. I used to be regular like clockwork when I was younger. It was strange to have it go all crazy, but you get used to it - sort of.

 

[Christine]

Well, I am "older" I guess at 42. I can tell you that when I was about 38 years old, I started getting very light spotting about 2 days before my period would start. But it was/is almost a light pink/tan color and never fully comes out--I only see it when I wipe. I discussed this with the doctor and he felt it was age/hormonally related.

Since this bleeding is occurring at your period, then I would say that it is probably hormonal. The fact that it is brown is saying that it is a "light" amount and coming out slowly.

I would talk to your GYN about it and maybe just get an ultrasound, which can see a lot.

 

[lovetheparks]

Welcome to my world! Seriously though, that is exactly how mine have been for the last few years and it drives me nuts. My Dr. thought maybe it was polyps so we did a D&C last Oct but it showed nothing abnormal but did say tissue suggested hormonal imbalance.

We pretty much knew that though becuase I had been prviously diagnosed with PCOS (polycyctic ovarian syndrome) and unexplained infertility.

Anyway, sometimes there really isn't anything *wrong* or diagnosable.

In my case - due to my many years of struggling with infertility along with really crappy periods, we are looking at a hysterectomy somewhat soon.

GL to you!

 

[AllyandJack]

I also vote for hormonal. I NEVER spotted until I started shooting up the Lupron and Follistim. Now, I'll spot for a few days and then get it normally. It's pretty annoying when my treatment schedule is based on "cycle days" and I call my doctor up and say, "It's starting!" Then I have to call back the next day and say, "Nevermind...."

I'd say it's hormonal and, if your doctor isn't worried and you have no pain, I wouldn't worry.

 

[Iott Family]

Steph.......having dealt with cervical cancer I dont take female problems lightly. Its probably nothing major, just an inconvenience but I would insist on my GYN to rule out any possibles and even get a 2nd opinion. Truth is the symptoms you describe could be ovarian cancer but then it could be age, too. I mean by the time we are 30 most of us have 15 or more years behind us of periods, thats a lot of hormonal flucs for us! Rule out the negatives then go have a few margheritas!!!

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Thanks for all the advice! I guess I'm frustrated because due to my problem, it seems like I only have one good week where I can "get friendly" with my dh. I'm going to schedule an appointment with another doctor and get a second opinion!

 

[FreshTressa]

With the gassines and pain, I would for sure pursue it further with my doc.


I used to have that spotting thing....it seemed like I would only have a tiny window of time where I wasn't getting ready to have my period or I wasn't finishing up with a week of spotting.

BCP's did not help.

I have the Merina IUD and for the first 6 months it made it worse. Now I have almost no period at all, but I get acne, weight gain and a loss of sex drive.

I'll probably have a hysterectomy in the next couple of years.

 

[MAKmom]

Thanks for all the advice! I guess I'm frustrated because due to my problem, it seems like I only have one good week where I can "get friendly" with my dh. I'm going to schedule an appointment with another doctor and get a second opinion!

That would never stop my DH.

 

[jekajekalynn]

I agree with everyone else. It sounds more like a hormonal thing.

You want to talk weird periods? lol I have had the WEIRDEST 4 months cycle wise in my life! I had NO periods since December, no spotting or nothing. I went to my OBGYNO, and she examined me and had me take some tests and everything (including a pregnancy test) came back negative. She said it was mostly likely stress.

Well I FINALLY had my period this weekend, and let me tell you it is the period to end all periods. My dh said this must be the worse one I have ever had because I was actually b#$#@* yesterday (word that rhymes with itchy ). I NEVER got cranky before this one! lol

At least it came before our trip to WDW.... THAT would have been fun...

 

[luvmydogs]

Steph, I've been having a lot of the same symptoms for the last two years myself--including night sweats anywhere from two weeks up to my period. I'll spot with dark brown blood too, usually a week beforehand. I went through a lot of tests this past fall--OB/Gyn just wanted to check everything out, as I have cyclical cysts (sometimes they press against my bladder and cause a lot of bloating and discomfort), and a ruptured one that infected my abdominal cavity several years ago. All my tests came back normal, and she just chalked it up to hormonal fluctuations. I'm 39, and we've come to the conclusion that I'm now in the official throes of perimenopause. She did discuss hormone therapy (I can no longer take The Pill because of other meds. I am on), but doesn't want to do that until it's really necessary. Like you, I really only have about a week where I'm free of discomfort or bleeding.--it's not bad though, just more of an annoyance. If you have any doubts, it's a good idea to get a second opinion--if nothing else, just for peace of mind.

Isn't there a song, "I Enjoy Being a Girl?" I'd like to smack the person who wrote that one!

 

[Chicago526]

Have you been under a lot of stress lately? Because stress messes me up big time. My clockwork cycle goes out the window and I never know what to expect. Once the stress goes away (or more accuratly, goes back to my normal amount of stress! ) my cycles go back to normal, too.

 

[FreshTressa]

Creepy how so many of us have this problem.

I started when I was about 28...I don't think it was perimenipause!!!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I'm not one to second-guess doctors. But, if you're having new symptoms, or want it checked out more, tell the doc!

I get this brown crap now, too, as well as a heavier flow and big old clots. And really bad cramping, which I never had when I was younger. It is all terribly normal. Fibroid cysts also not uncommon.

Welcom to the wonderful world of feminine aging!

I can not wait for menopause! Freedom from periods!

 

[malibuconlee]

I don't have a lot to add, but before I was on the pill I was very irregular. And at the end I would get this really dark brownish fluid, I used to think of it as the oldest stuff that built up coming out. and that's why it looked so dark.

Can I ask a question on this thread instead of starting a new one (hope you don't mind Steph). Ladies, do you go to one doc for everything, or do you have a couple?

We move a lot for DH's work and it's such a pain constantly changing doctors. In South Dakota I went to an OB/Gyn for everything. He was OK with it especially since we knew I wouldn't be there forever (we were there for a year and a half and I went several times for different things).

When we went to Iowa I just went to a Family Practice Doctor for everything. Basically for one yearly and once for a UTI.

Just wondered what everyone else does. It's time for a yearly check-up.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I have a primary physician, and then a separate OB/GYN doc.

 

[AllyandJack]

I have my GYN do my annual exams. I rarely go to my family doctor since I have a PPO. I just love my GYN. I know, I'm a freak, but he's a funny guy and he's a big Disney fan, too, so we have a good time comparing Disney stories. Even when my reproductive endocrinologist needed me to have my annual exam early, I chose to go back to my GYN instead of having her do it. Someday, hopefully, he'll be my OB, so I wanted him to be involved and he had no idea what I had been going through with the IVF and everything, so it was a good opportunity to update him. When you find a good GYN, you never let him go....especially when he can talk Disney with you!

 

[Darth Cupcake]

Yes, the internet can be scary when it comes to medical information. I have absolutely no idea what the problem could be but I'm going to beg you to bug as many docs as you have to until you get an answer that you are comfortable with.

 

[MAKmom]

I'm not one to second-guess doctors. But, if you're having new symptoms, or want it checked out more, tell the doc!

I get this brown crap now, too, as well as a heavier flow and big old clots. And really bad cramping, which I never had when I was younger. It is all terribly normal. Fibroid cysts also not uncommon.

Welcom to the wonderful world of feminine aging!

I can not wait for menopause! Freedom from periods!

Me too.

 

[lovetheparks]

Creepy how so many of us have this problem.

I started when I was about 28...I don't think it was perimenipause!!!

That's right around (maybe a little into 27) when I started as well!

It's good to know it's not all that uncommon (as annoying as it is!)