Bleeding between Periods

OK, so the gentlemen in the family can probably just skip over this one-unless your wives or girlfriends can help.

Anyway, for years I have had very regular periods (not taking any birth control right now, BTW) without any problems. Then, a few months ago, I noticed that they were a little bit longer (more than the 5-7 days it usually lasted). Now, I'm just bleeding in between periods. I don't mean to gross anyone out, so please stop reading now if you can't deal. Anyway, the blood isn't the bright red blood that I normally have during my periods. It's more of a darker red/brown color. It's nowhere near as heavy as when I am having my "normal" period, but it is still constant and more of a "spotting" type of thing.

So obviously, my mom informs me that I need a GYN exam. Well, DUH! LOL I was just wondering if this has happened to anyone else? I am 37 years old and not currently sexually active. Does anyone have any advice or comments? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh, BTW-the only thing that has changed with my meds is that my Neurontin was raised to 600mg 4 times a day (2400mg daily).

Thanks for listening (or in this case, reading)!

I sort of have something like this happen. I will have a period for about 5 days or so. I'll start off with a light day, then have 2 or 3 heavy days, then it will taper off completely and it will seem like I'm done. But then about 7 to 9 days after I originally start, it will start back up again, but just like you said, it will be a dark brown, streaky color and will last for a couple of days like that. It's not heavy at all (I just use pantyliners during this part) but it is odd. Does that sound like what you're experiencing at all?

For me, I'm thinking it's related to my tubal/possible early menopause. The tubal doesn't relate to your situation, obviously, but maybe you are going into an early stage menopause yourself? I know 37 seems early for something like that, but I'm only 36 and have been having these symptoms for awhile (plus other menopausal like symptoms as well). Are you showing any other signs of menopause? I know for the longest time, I chalked my symptoms up to fibro, but I am going to see the Gyno on April 3rd because it seems like something different.

I would also definitely recommend you see a Gyno, but you know that!! I hope you are able to get some answers soon!

Yup, time to make a Gyno appt!!  It could be the beginnings of menapause or it might be something else, only a doctor can tell you for sure.  I started menapause very early and the symptoms were similar.  I was 35, I'm 51 now and finally stopped getting my period about a year ago (hope it stays that way).

Danielle did some research on PTS, post tubal syndrome, so if you've had a tubal you might want to search it out, she posted it earlier this week.

Also talk to your mom and any other female family members and see if they started menapause early.  My sister went into full menapause at 35 and my mom was done at 42.  So I either followed in their footsteps or started early mena. from my tubal.

Sorry you're having this inconvenient little issue and I hope you can get to the doctor soon!!

Hugs,

Thank you, Miriam, for pointing out the perimenopause thing. I could not for the life of me think of the word!!

Hi Kelly, this exact thing happened to me and I thought it was perimenopause.  When I had my gyn appt. turns out there was a polyp on my cervix.  Since having that removed, the bleeding between periods slowed and stopped.  My doc did a uterine biopsy to make sure there was not any cancer causing the bleeding and a biopsy on the polyp and both turned out negative.  The uterine biopsy results are good for a year.  So, there could be various reasons for the bleeding and it should be checked out.  Could be a nice simple reason like mine.

Sue

Thanks for all the info ladies. Yes, I know that I need to see a GYN, and I have an appointment with my GP April 10th. If she can do it (pap smear, etc), then I'll have her do it. Otherwise, she will point me in the direction I need to go.

I have no clue when my mom went through menopause because she really didn't get the "chance" to go through it. After my older sister was born, she experienced cramping and spotting, so she went to her OB/GYN-and guess what? She was pregnant with me! But, after I was born, she had great difficulty and when I was about a year old, she had a hysterectomy. She was probably around 30. BTW-when she was 45, she had to have her ovaries removed because she had huge benign tumors.

My sister (who I don't talk to very much, but ironically is a nurse at an OB/GYN office), has had to have some fibroids removed when she was around 30.

So, my problem could be any of the things that y'all mentioned. It's just a little disconcerting when you are constantly bleeding (even just a little bit). Of course, you know me-I'll keep you posted.

Quiltermama, this thread is over four year old and many of those members are not on the forum now. I'm going to lock this thread but if you are having this type of issue, please feel free to start a new post about it. There just might be other members having that problem, although I do not think it's related to fibro. Thanks, in advance for understanding.

Sherrine