Irregular Bleeding During Menopause

I hope this is not too personal a question, especially as it is my first on here! I have been to my Dr who seems a little worried but other than doing a blood test to see what my hormone levels are ( I haven't heard back yet) So to my question, does anyone else on here suffer from frequent spotting? I was very regular with my periods but now they have sort of stopped to be replaced by weekly spotting, it is very light and not really a problem, but what I need to know is this 'normal'?

If anyone on here can help me, I would be most grateful to hear from you.

Best wishes

Denise

I am 54 years old and have not had a period since Sept '06. A couple of days ago I started with dark, tacky spotting and now has turned into bright red bleeding. It seems to follow sexual intercourse.I have also been going through a very stressful time.I would like to hear from anyone who has experienced the same thing.

After a couple years of various symptoms but annoyingly monthly periods (I'm 51), it seems I'm finally heading into the early phase of menopause. It's frustrating that so many articles and conversations are about hot flashes, and not about the many other symptoms. I was certain I was going to miss my first period in May, but then it surprised me, but only lasted 2 days (not completely unusual for me, but April's was 8 days). Then, just five days after May's stopped, my breasts swelled, and all the other symptoms arrived, and sure enough, my period started again! Only this time I'm going on day 7 with no slow down - very heavy, and I'm exhausted. I was so naive, as I thought menopause meant they stopped, not that they went crazy! But after doing some more research (including finding this site), it appears I could be in for an interesting ride.

God bless my understanding and (usually)sympathetic husband!

Jo

Yvette
The same thing is happing to me right now I have not had any bleeding for four full years I still get sweats and hot flash but now I have this bleeding cramps and all I am scared did you ever find out why

I am 49 and about 3 years ago i had my last period. I had blood tests done which confirmed that i was post menopausal and the docter said that i would not ever have to worry about having a period again. The problem is that i had a bit of spotting ( after nearly 3 years of nothing ) and then a full blown period including pains. When the spotting began a week ago the blood was very dark and tacky. I have never used any hrt treatments so the period is not caused by the use of hrt. Is this normal ?

I've tried to post this a couple of times before, but it never shows up...maybe this explains why this forum has become so quiet? Because people's posts aren't showing up?

Anyhow, I am 47 (actually 47 1/2, almost to the day!) and have started skipping periods for the first time. I have been having irregular periods for the last three years, and last year at this time was getting them nearly every two weeks. Once, I even had two periods in a row -- ghastly!

This September, though, my cycles started getting a lot longer. I went six weeks without a period, and this cycle it's been more than 2 1/2 months since the last period. I'm perfectly happy to start skipping finally, but I'm worried that when my next period starts, it's going to be very long and heavy because I haven't had one for so long. Is this most women's experience, or could I just get a normal or light period? The one that came after the six-week hiatus was pretty normal, but this is the first time in my whole life I've gone 2 1/2+ months without a period. Is there anything I could take or do to help prevent the next period from being too heavy? That is the one symptom I fear most of all. I haven't had any flooding yet and have been in peri for several years now, but I suppose there's always a first time. I am expecting a period this weekend, although I have no PMS apart from some abdominal bloating.

This is such a confusing time of life.... Incidentally, my sister, who is five years younger than I am, is already in the thick of peri and is currently at the same stage I was at last year at this time!

I had endometrial cancer a year and a half ago - I too thought my spotting was just perimenopausal, but it wasn't. When a routine PAP showed edometrial cells which had migrated down to my cervix, they did further testing. I though it would just turn out to be endometrial hyperplasia, but it was adenocarcinoma. Initially I was somewhat freaked out, but other than extreme fatigue when recuperating from the hysterectomy, it wasn't so bad. (The prep for the surgery - same prep as for a colonoscopy - was worse than the surgery.) They rarely do chemo for that type of cancer, unless it's pretty advanced (I was stage 2, an 8-centimeter tumor). I had internal radiation, which only required four treatments, much less than external radiation. Been fine ever since and anticipate staying that way. I was out of work for 7 weeks. If it weren't for the fatigue, I would have been back in 3 or 4. Good luck!

It might be normal and it might also b e a problem. Your best answer will be to see your gyno and get her/his opinion on what might be a problem and how to deal with either effect.

Yes, the 'C' word is scary...when you do have your mammos taken and check with your gyno before it's gone too long though, it can turn out great for you even if it's a problem. I did get breast cancer when I was 60 yo, however, because we were up on what was going on with me, we were able to catch it super early and I'm now 8 years past then. Plus, while I had to have a lumpectomy, took radiation for 7 weeks and lots and lots of doc's visits, it was sooo much better than if it had been further along. The best thing to do in my opinion is to go to the doc even when you're scared. Yes, I know only too well that's easier said than done sometimes---I had previously had a scare of bc, however, it had turned out not to be real and I was thrilled to know that.

Good luck...and please...do let us know how you get along on this. I hope you do bite the bullet and consult with your doc. And if she/he says 'oh it's nothing', insist to that doc that you want more info and tests to make sure that you're not in danger of more threatening results.

The best of luck to you.

LoisAnn :o)

I have not had a period for a year, now all of the sudden I am bleeding slightly. Is this normal? I'm scared of the "c" word.

however, I also do know that my breast cancer (which can cause other problems as well) could not have turned out so well for me and mine if I hadn't been willing to get it checked out by a doc. I know many ladies who've waited until it's 'next to death's door' before they went for help and that would scare me so very much as there's most often not a lot they can do at that point of the illness.

I do hope that you can bring yourself to see a gyno about the problem soon and at least know that it's not sitting in the wings just waiting to smash you to the wall.

Please keep posting as I do care and know there are probably others on here who feel the same way.

LoisAnn :o)

While it absolutely is something you need to get a biopsy for, it also may not be any 'large' mass. I always check my gyno on what size mass they're talking about. As for a hysterectomy yes it also is a scary procedure and a lot of recuperating. You can and will make it through all of that though...you also are a survivor, don't cha know?

It's only natural to be scared. When I was scheduled to go for my first breast biopsy way back in the 80's, I was acting brave until the day before the biopsy and then I fell apart crying over what it might mean. You do know what a hysterectomy entails, so you're ahead of the game that way. It wound up that I didn't even need to have one.

I did however call a phone operator and got a number for a crisis line and they got me in touch with a breast cancer society person who talked and walked me through the process and what to be scared of and what not to be scared of. Thankfully that was able to calm me back down and when I went the next day my problem had disappeared. Yours would not seem to disappear so you need more info that I did...and yet, it is available to you also. If you feel up to it, please do contact your local crisis line/cancer society line and get one on one phone help from them. Even go to meet with them if you need to do that. Also, look up where you might have a Glenda's Club near you (I forget where you live) and call them for info and help. They are great and will help you in a heartbeat.

Hang in there, lady. We are here from you and do need to know how you're doing also.

LoisAnn :o)

Well ladies I have really messed up. I have been relying on the fact that I was going through meno and it seems I have a mass in my uterus. I have to go have a biopsy Wed. to see if I have cancer or not. Either way I will have to have hysterectomy. I am just praying it will not be cancer and that I will be back to my old self soon. I would never have believed it because I have no pain or discomfort except for the bleeding. Please pray it will turn out good, I am really scared and have done nothing but cry and scream since I found out.
Chris

If you've seen your gyno about the spotting off and on during those 3 years, lady, I wouldn't worry as much about it. Yeah it definitely is a bummer, however, that can/might be better than flooding your pads/clothes and/or super long periods each month. You have had some 30 day periods (I think that's what you meant) and yet again, the 9 day ones could be o.k. to live with. If you were talking about the periods being 9 to 30 days apart, that is something your gyno should be able to help find a solution for that problem.

Hang in there. It's not always that easy for everyone.

LoisAnn :o)

This new site is confusing...I tried to post this a few days ago, but it never showed up, so here goes again....

How common is spotting as a symptom of peri? I've been spotting light pink on and off since my last period, which finished over a week ago. I also know I'm not ovulating this cycle, so I expect to be starting another full-blown period any day now. I am 47, and have had irregular periods on and off now for last three years, with cycle lengths ranging from 9 to 30 days and everything in between.

Good luck at the doc's and I hope whatever he/she's decided to do works out great for you. You do definitely deserve some relief from the problem.

LoisAnn :o)

Ladies,
I have made a decision. I am so tired of this bleeding that I am going to the dr. Friday and let him do what is needed. I have been bleeding since July 28 and the other night it was pouring like I was using the bathroom and it really scared me. I would rather have to deal with the mood swings and hormonal changes than bleed to death. I pray I am doing the right thing.

Ladies,
I know I have been here before with this problem but here I am again. I skipped 3 months of my period and then in July I started spotting occasionally until July 28th where I started a full period. It is now 18 and I know it is normal at this stage for it to be longer but what I am concerned about is this. Some days it seems almost gone and then all of a sudden I start gushing again and then it goes back to light again. I just need someone to tell me this is as it should be. All the dr.'s say is "it will get better, it is up to you to accept it", and then they say birth control pills or surgery. I just need to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Chris

I have been told by my doctor that I am in perimenopause. I have skipped numerous periods, but when I have one it is very heavy for the first few days (sometimes going through as many as 10-15 pads a day), but then it slows down. This time I had the heavy bleeding (after going 2 months without a period) for about 3 days, but have been bleeding for 22 days straight! Is this normal?

I had a blood test a couple of years ago which confirmed I am in perimenopause. I am now 50 years old. I have missed a couple of periods since then but been very lucky with no other symptoms. My last period was the end of May. However I have been having period pains and keep expecting when i visit the toilet to see that my period has started, but nothing. Can anyone tell me is it normal to get period pains and that heavy feeling but no periods. Anyone else had this problem. Thanks. I hope this was the right thread to ask this question. Regards Lynsey