I am new to this forum. I am 44 years old. About a year ago I noticed that my periods went from every 28 days to 24 days. I have experienced itchyness afterwards and just a uncomfortable feeling. I was checked for infections. All clear. Then I started to experince various cycles for awhile. Then in March I just skipped. April was a 12 day period. I went to the Dr. in May. He wanted me to take Provera and have a scope,biopsy. I refused to take the Provera. Had a regular period in May. I had the scope,biopsy in May. Everything was fine, he said he was glad I didn't take the Provera. He said perimenopause starting. June,July, August all normal. I had my pap in August, fine. Then in September skipped again. Now this month Oct. I have been spotting since the first. It ranges from pink, brown, red everything in between. Mostly when I wipe. Then nothing for a day or two. Then a little of my panties. I feel like I am sputtering. I know this is perimenopause but I am so confused. Do I just let nature take its course or do I need Provera? Its just upsetting when you see this spotting and its not at the "normal time". My husband is being so understanding. But how do you feel like having sex during this? Just need some encouragement or advice. Thanks.

Hi Wanna,
Welcome to PS, it's a great place with wonderful women and lots of support. I'm sure you'll love it here.
I went through the constant spotting thing as did quite a few women here. If you read under the bleeding forum you will find quite a bit of information on it.
Since you have had everything checked out and all is fine I wouldn't worry about it too much. It just seems to be part of peri. If you are finding it too worrisome or are overly anxious about it you can always get reassurance from your doctor. I had the tests done and then just waited it out. It signaled the end for me so hopefully it will for you too. Arla.

Just when I need you guys again--for yet something different happening--here you are with exactly my concern.

Thank you.

Just some background: My period lasted one day this month. That's it. One day. I had the nasty tooth pulled last week--so went off my regular diet--or was stressed--or both--anyways, my natural daily cycle was definately interrupted. Yesterday--and I'm trying hard not to be too personal here--but the anxiety sometimes overcomes what I think I should say--but, anyways, yesterday I finally got back on track, so to speak. But along with it--like Day Two of a period. Then nothing. Nothing at all. Today--the exact same thing happens. I looked up spotting--but couldn't find much--and this is freaking me out. Can anyone shed any light on this for me?

Thank you, wonderful women, for always lessening the anxiety factor.

Moteachr,

I'm sure it's just a normal peri symptom but if you're really stressed about it you should get it checked out by your doctor. The less extra worry at this time the better. I had all kinds of bleeding patterns before my periods stopped - marathon periods, endless spotting, one day periods, one day spotting, well you get the idea. Try not to worry to much. Arla.

Moteachr,

I'm sure it's just a normal peri symptom but if you're really stressed about it you should get it checked out by your doctor. The less extra worry at this time the better. I had all kinds of bleeding patterns before my periods stopped - marathon periods, endless spotting, one day periods, one day spotting, well you get the idea. Try not to worry to much. Arla.

Sorry I didn't mean to double reply. I guess brain fog takes awhile to dissipate if ever

Thanks, Arla--I wish my body was MY body again--the patterns I know, the problems I know. I hate this incessant not knowing what it will curse me with next--and if I really should give it more than a moment's thought. Peri has turned me into some kind of Queen Worrywart.

Oh--and I TOTALLY understand the brain fog thing . . . .

Hi

I am sure its all peri. When I was doing the spotting thing,I would spot the same time every day, I swear you could set you watch by it . It would only happen for maybe 3days at the same time every day and then be gone until the next day at the same time. This just told me is was hormones.

My bleeding patterns when I was in peri and who knows I may still be there,I have learned just cause I have not had a true period since Dec of 2005 that does not mean anything. I have read of women who have gone 2years with nothing then had a period. But I had the closer together,the further apart, the light ones, the heavy ones, the start and stop and start ones. well you get the idea.

I had NOTHING all of 2006 then come feb of this year I had the spotting ,very light on and off for 3 days then gone,had the same thing in March and April, nothing since then. and yes once again the spotting would start and stop at the same time on these days.

I figure this way, I will be 102 and still have pads on hand just in case.

Barkleysmom,
Every time I read your posts I realize anything can happen on this journey. Thanks for the smiles picturing a 102 year old woman standing in the drug store aisle deciding which pads she needs.

Moteachr, I sympathize with you. I know the worrywart scenario all to well. Everytime I got a new symptom (and I think I had almost all 34) I would be sure that I had one of the worse diseases or one that they had yet to discover. This in turn caused lots of anxiety which led to some major panic attacks. So I totally understand not knowing what will come next. After being through the whole process (at least I hope it stays away) I can only tell you to try to relax and do check things out with your doctor. Each one of us is different and we all need different things to help us through this time. And, keep coming back here, this site was a lifesaver for me. No matter what time of the day or night someone always seemed to be there for support. Hope you're feeling better soon. Arla.

Thank you for your help. It seems like just when I get comfortable with what my body is doing, something new and strange happens, and the anxiety roars full volume. And it seems like the media drowns us in reasons to worry: commercials about "the clot," billboards about women's heart attack signs, stroke symptoms just about everywhere--this kind of stuff doesn't help me to calm down--only to worry more about what could be going on in my body--knowing that it is something evil rather than something just normal and natural.

Anyway, thanks a ton to all of you.