Hi,

I'm 40 years old & really frightened by my irregular bleeding/spotting.

It started just over 12 months ago with an unusually heavy period, then everything went haywire. Though a few months have been normal for last year, everything else is haywire. I've had a couple 3 weeks apart, but more frightening is the spotting...started as spotting a day or 2 before period, now I'm getting 6 days of period, 2 days off of bleeding (though started cramping), then spotting on & off til about 5 days before next period. My bleeding during period is heavier & clotty, though not unbearable. I've had 2 pap smears in last 12 months (normal), and abdominal & pelvic ultrasound (normal). My gyno says I must have a biopsy as this is DEFINITELY not peri cause my hormones are normal. Is that right?

She wants to do an endometrial biopsy, but I'm wondering if I should see another gyno because of what she says re hormone levels and her approach to the biopsy. She seems to be making a big deal of the biopsy. She had wanted me to be under general anaesthetic as a day patient in a surgery, but due to many past serious drug reactions, I will not do that. She says she will want the anaesthisiologist (?spelling) there anyhow and will have people to hold me down. That seems extreme to me. I would be grateful if you could share your experiences with me so I can decide whether I should have the procedure done by a different gyno.

Thanks,
Naomi

Hi Naomi and welcome,

Please find another gyn....please! You may not even have to have that procedure done. You can definitely be in perimenopause and have normal hormone readings. Ask a bazillion women on this sight! I have spotted, bled heavy, had clots and had a period that lasted 27 days. In peri anything can happen with your periods. But for peace of mind to you, get checked out by another doc. The one you have now sounds scary!

Thank you so much for your reply.

I had liked her up til yesterday, but I thought her answer to the hormone question was fishy and I thought her approach to the biopsy was a bit over the top.

I will make an appt with my GP today to get a referral for a second opinion and I'll make sure that I get that opinion from a GYNO who doesn't put patients under general anaesthesia for a biopsy.

Thanks so much. I am paralyzed by terror, which is eased by kind people like you replying to my posts.

Naomi

I agree with Tots, Naomi - I don't like what your doc is recommending, or the way she's recommending it (having someone there to hold you down??? YIKES!!).

It's always wise to have irregular bleeding checked out, but can be COMPLETELY NORMAL in perimenopause. My bleeding was all over the darn place the last couple years, bleeding every day for weeks, etc. My doc said this was normal, as the hormone levels were fluctuating so, it constantly caused the uterine lining to build up and then begin to shed, over and over.

Also, have one's hormones checked by a doctor is iffy, as they can fluctuate over the course of a day!

Again, definitely see someone else, and discuss what's happening just to be on the safe side. But do know that many of us have had the same crazy bleeding patterns.

JJ

I have an appt monday with my GP...she isn't the one who referred me to this gyno so I'm sure she won't have a problem with me seeing another one, particularly given she too seemed surprised that my gyno wanted me to go under a general for the procedure.

My mother passed away last October from Ovarian cancer which wasn't diagnosed til stage 4 (despite her complaining to gp's for a year before that), so I wouldn't mind having the biopsy to put my mind at rest, but I don't think it needs to be as traumatic as it will be with her. Plus, I need a Dr to be honest with me, and if what you say about hormones is right, that is crazy stuff...what a b...!

Thanks,
Naomi

Oh, Hon, yes if your mom passed away from ovarian cancer (and I'm so sorry ), you will likely need to be more carefully watched than some of us as the years go on. In this instance, the biopsy is not a bad idea, and as you say, can put your mind at ease.

I don't think a biopsy needs to be the big deal that your current doctor has made it - she seems very "high drama!" Not what one wants in a doctor! Many people on these boards have mentioned having biopsies right in the doctor's office, without anesthesia. Some say it hurts, and some say it doesn't.

Let us know what you find out, okay? Wishing you well with this.

JJ

I to agree with the other replies. Even though a biopsy is what they want you to have done,it`s always better to be on the safe side. But I really do feel that your bleeding is Peri related. But...YES...find another Doctor who is a little more on the gentle side. This Doctor sounds extremely scary to me....


Take Care and let us know how everything turns out...


Sending big {{{HUGS}}} your way...

Christina

Naomi,

I agree with everyone's reply. I have had the biopsy procedure your doctor is talking about and he recommended I take 2 tylenol before the procedure because it can be painful... it felt like a very bad cramps. I think you need to change doctors, but I agree with the others that since there is a family history of ovarian cancer, do have it checked out. My biopsy results were fine, everything normal.

I really do think it is hormonal fluctuations causing this also. I have having the weird bleeding, spotting for 3 days stopped for 3 days, spotted for one, etc... I am older than you (48) but peri symptoms can start as early as 35.

Do take care and let us know how you are doing.

Plumeria

Hi Naomih,

I am experiencing this haywire stuff too. Last night I awoke with blood everywhere. My spotting turned into my 3rd period in less than 4 weeks. I called a friend and she had this happen to. All her tests were ok and she isnow through menopause. She told me to calm down chances are nothing is wrong but I should see my gyno, which I have an appt. aug 4. So it looks as though this is normal for us. Try to not worry. I would see another gyno. From what I have heard and read..as long as you have an abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound that should be all you need to rule out problems.

But, I read this biopsy isn't that big a deal and can be done at the docs office...so if you end up getting it I guess it can't hurt to have further reassurance nothing is wrong.

Good luck to you. I know how scary this is. This is my first all month long bleed session I ever had. I am 45. We'll get through this as millions have before us. It's all part of the change.

I did want to ask you or anyone reading. When the period comes back allmonth long as this, do you get pain and cramps too? Man, I've been hurting, but advil is helping. Anyone have pain and cramps too?????

Thanks
Countryangel

I'm 48 and since January 2006 I have experienced the following:

Irregular bleeding (very heavy periods)
Cramping, pelvic pressure, sharp stabbing pain on right ovary
Bloating
Rectal pain
Frequent urination
More tired
Weight gain

My gynecologist did the following:

Pelvic ultrasound
Physical examination

Ultrasound showed:

Normal left ovary
Cyst of 3 centimeters on right ovary
Slightly enlarged uterus
Severely retroverted uterus
Very small fibroids

He stated the rectal pain and frequent urination was caused by the retroverted uterus as it was pushing again my bladder and rectum. He said the weight gain was just because I have not been exercising and eating out alot.

He stated he was not the least bit concerned about ovarian cancer as the cyst was small and I was still having periods. He stated he would be concerned if I had not had periods in a long time having a cyst on my ovary. I might add that I had a left ovarian cyst about 4 months ago and now it's gone. Has anyone ever had any of these symptoms?

I'm somewhat freaked out now after reading the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Naomi, wondering what your update is? Hope you have seen a new doctor by now. There are some real freaks out there! Sometime women doctors are the worse!
I had the endometrial biopsy, sure didn't need anyone to hold me down. Good grief never heard of such a thing! it was uncomfortable but only for a minute or less. My doctor told me to take 4 motrin two hour before coming in.
I've always had pelvic pain and still have a pelvic ultrasound very 6 months since I had hyperplasia (it has now clear up).
My doctor said the pelvic ultrasound was the best way to look for ovarian problems. It's normal to have cysts on your ovaries from time to time. In fact you get one every month and sometime they stay for months. Good luck!

Thank you so much to everyone for taking the time to reply.

I am so angry at my gyno at the moment and see my gp tomorrow to get a referral to a new one. Based on your answers & answers from other posts, what she has told me & internet research, it is clear she was planning a hysteroscopy with D&C but told me it was a biopsy. She had talked about using a camera for the biopsy and how they would need to get samples from all over the uterus. I'm so ANGRY that she simply called it an endometrial biopsy, and that is also how she's described it to my gp in her letter. Not to mention her insistence that it can't be peri cause my hormones are normal. In fact, I think I had an endometrial biopsy many years ago in another gyno's office...during her exam she just told me she was taking a tissue sample and it was no big deal .

I can't see why this would be necessary at this point in time, and she certainly never explained that to me. Abdominal untrasound 8 months ago and pelvic ultrasound 2 months ago were both normal. I know I should still have the biopsy to be sure its nothing sinister, but won't be having it done by a doc that misleads & lies to me. I so hope I can get an appt with new gyno quick as I'd sure like this over & done with asap.

I am comforted by you sharing your stories with me...I think there is a real chance this is peri based on what you tell me, and hopefully that will help with my anxiety between now & when test is done. I can't believe she would tell me that it DEFINITELY wasn't peri.

Thanks,
Naomi