Ive had mid cycle spotting for the last 2 cycles now and after the first time I made an appt with my gp. I didnt actually go to see her until earlier this week but she is sending me for an ultrasound to check for possible polyps or fibroids. Last month my spotting was minimal (only when I wiped) but it lasted a good 4 to 5 days. Then this month mid cycle it came back again and has been happenening for a handful of days. This month its been quite a bit heavier for spotting but its definitely not a period. The night before last I had wicked cramps with indigestion that kept me up all night and then the next morning it was quite a bit heavier. Ive never had an abnormal pap before and my dr. did a pap and checked and she said all looked normal but she still wants an ultrasound. Im a hypochondriac so Im freaking out that its something worse like cancer and the wait to see/ hear whats causing this spotting is stressing me out to no end. Im 31 with 2 kids and Im not on any bc. Ive also never had spotting, ever before in my life so I was hoping that someone else can relate to these symptoms and help me to feel better about that fact that its nothing serious. I know that no one here can actually diagnose me but Im hoping to find some relief in knowing that others who have had these or similar symptoms had or have nothing more than something very easily fixed.
Thanks in advance
As I get older, ovulation is much more uncomfortable than my actual period, and I have had some light spotting with it. I have also had a uterine fibroid that the doc felt on an annual exam and by the next year it had shrunk on its own. I also get cervical polyps once in a while. No big deal.
I have had spotting from an ovarian cyst and that came with lots of cramps. I also once had a period where I bled for 21 days straight. That was also blamed on a cyst after investigating everything from pelvic inflammatory disease to cervical or uterine cancer. Before that I twice had negative pap smears (age 28 and 38) requiring removal of " atypical" cells and quarterly pap smears as follows up. I am now 54 and all that is behind me. If it was life threatening or serious your doctor would have sent you straight to radiology without going home. Take a deep breath, have a glass of wine or beer, and relax. ((Hugs))
I can't tell you what it is, but I can tell you what it probably isn't, and that's cancer. I worked as an educator in a reproductive health care facility -we did gyn check ups and lots of out patient sterilizations (for women and men), and we saw all kinds of reasons for spotting and cramping. The vast majority were not serious. Some required treatment, some didn't. Sometimes we didn't find the cause until the doctor was doing the surgery for the tubal ligations, and he was able to see the problem with the laparoscope (especially fibroids were easy to see). That was a few years back, and the diagnostic techniques are much more improved since then.
I haven't had polyps or fibroids, but I've certainly had plenty of mid cycle bleeding, and I had a lot of tests and treatments during my infertility. I've also had some abnormal pap smears, mostly because of an insufficient number of cells, and I have a past history of breast cysts and questionable mammograms (not the same problem as you, I know, but the worrying and waiting is the same). I've gotten rid of all those problems but I still remember what it felt like to be anxious and without answers.
Yes, they are annoying as hell, and it is frustrating when you don't have answers right away. But you have plenty of diagnostic techniques available to you, and if you don't feel your GP has the expertise, then ask for a referral (which she will likely give you anyway). Plenty of good and highly trained professionals can read your ultrasound or other tests.
If it's a hormonal issue causing spotting (which happens all the time), it's usually not hard to fix. There could be a short-term use of medication (including but not limited to a low dose birth control pill), for example, that can set you right.
Sometimes a hormonal issue can mess up ovulation or cause a cyst (which are benign), and there can be some mid cycle bleeding. There can also be cramping. It's absolutely not serious.
The likelihood of cancer is so low, it's really not on her list of concerns, I imagine.
I know you don't want anyone to tell you to calm down and not fret, because that doesn't help anyway, and if you tend to be a worrywart anyway, it sometimes causes more stress than people hope they are relieving.
I work in food science now and spend a ton of time with women who have menstrual, menopausal, or hormonal issues, including PCOS and irregular cycles, infertility and UTIs, heavy cramping and hot flashes, so I see it all on a regular basis. There's so much you can do in a non-medical approach too. So once you decide on how you want to proceed, there are lots of options available to you that can include medical intervention or not. The main thing is to seek answers without the panic keeping you up at night. I know that's easy for me to say and really hard for you to hear!
Hang in there.
I've had uterine cancer. One thing that happened was losing huge amounts of blood. You are spotting. Don 't worry, it sounds like you're body is just doing a few wacky things and sometimes it scares the heck out of us.
I just had an ultrasound and I've just been told that I have a fibroid in my uterine lining. It is apparently benign, but has been causing all kinds of trouble over the past year. Basically, on the first two days of my period I get bad cramps, feel like I need to throw up, and get my entire period in the course of an hour or two (not a problem if I'm home - huge problem if I'm out somewhere). I also have anemia as a result and am taking iron supplements for it. I have to go back to the OBGYN after the holidays to see the various options. I guess I can either live with it or get some minor surgery to remove the fibroid.
Best of luck - I know quite a few people who have had something similar and they've all gotten through it just fine. It seems to be pretty common.
I was diagnosed with fibroids 12 years ago. After several years of really heavy periods I find myself bleeding 23 days straight after the doctor did a biopsy. I went for an ultrasound a few days ago and am awaiting the results. I am hoping they can do whatever it takes to fix this fast because I want it to stop. My iron is so low I have no energy!
If your pap came back normal - that's a good thing.
Having an ultrasound wouldn't freak me out.
Wait till the tests come in - determining what's going on will determine what treatment you'll need.
Something to keep in mind - are you done having kids?
Because if you are - a partial hysterectomy (take the uterus out but leave in the ovaries) will end the bleeding.
I have a fibroid on the outside of my uterus.
Sonograms let them see the size and if/how much it grows.
I've not had any "symptoms" from it at all.
