Seeking Similar Female Medical Problem Information

I am having very similar symptoms. I've been bleeding now going on 2 1/2 months. Am 40 yrs old. My doctor said I am not premenopausal, that all of my hormone levels were fine. Did ultrasound, and said I have two small cysts on ovary, but of no concern. I have pain in my pelvic area, and it has seriously affected my relationship with my husband. Dr. did put me on seasonique birth control pills, said it would help stop the bleeding. I've been on it a month, and I'm still bleeding. I'm so fed up. I have the clotting too. If you find out anything, can you please let me know, as I am so frustrated. My previous dr. said I had endometriosis or poly cystic ovary syndrome.

Both fibroids and perimenopause could be the culprit but my biggest concern would be fibroids, since you mentioned that you have been good and healthy, until now. Sometimes, too, if it took you a while to conceive, that can lean towards having fibroids, too. I'm glad you had an appointment with your ob/gyn. Many people have fibroids (I'm one of many!) but my dr. told me that, unless they pose a concern, they can be left untreated but need to be regularly monitored. I'm concerned that you say... "you've been clotting a lot" and ... "you'll get the ultrasound in the next few weeks". You need to get that ultrasound done ASAP so that you can put these concerns to rest. You already have symptoms that are concerning.

Have you been under a lot of stress lately? Did you have any kind of illness lately (stomach flu, upper respiratory infection/cough) or have you been on any new medication that may cause your period to be temporarily irregular?

Don't be fearful, be proactive and get this addressed so that you can stay healthy. I am hoping that your ob/gyn gave you a script to check your blood work and chem. panels. Very important. You'll want to make sure that you aren't anemic. She can also assess if you may be perimenopausal through some simple blood tests.

Good luck.

I am in my mid forties. Every woman I know in this age group has had some form of craziness involving her period! I have a friend whose ob/gyn told her when she was 35 that within the next few years, your period my start changing, but that a lot of it is common and normal, and not to freak out.
I wish they all gave us the scoop on this!

Just last month a friend of mine mentioned she was having problems just like yours. They put her on the pill to regulate it.

It's good that you are getting it checked out. I hope that
you can breathe a sigh of relief when you know more.

I would go ahead and get the ultrasound ASAP, and in the meantime, keep your iron up. I've had the same issue from a variety of causes over the years (uterine polyps, fibroids, and nothing anyone could figure out). I finally had a uterine ablation three weeks ago. So far, so good, although it of course rules out more kids. Good luck!

Sounds very familiar. In my late 30s I started having similar problems. In my early 40s my periods got so heavy I could barely make it for 30 minute without doing something about it. It was a miserable experience. I did find out I had fibroids and at 42 I had a hysterectomy (but I kept my ovaries). It was THE best thing I've ever done for myself. It was difficult to see on the ultrasound how bad my fibroids were, but once my uterus was out, the doctor said it was four times the normal size because of all the fibroids. No wonder I had so many problems.

From the time my mother was 45 she had been having the same type problems. Couple monthes no period, two monthes non stop heavy bleeding, 3 days spotting, ect. She was miserable. Finally at 50 she went to an OBGYN and was recommended to have a hysterectomy. She had so many large fibroids that they had to do it the traditional way with a large incision. After her recovery period she was happier than she's been in a long time. All she could say was "If I'd have known it would be like this, I'd've done it a long time ago." If you're finished with babies and do have fibroids I'd really consider a hysterectomy. If you don't need it, why have it.

There is an eye doctor in Northbrook at the Mind-Eye Connection who is working with changing the normal, natural estrogren level in the tears on the eye. That seems to have an effect on normalizing periods in a few people. It is new research and sounds funny, but may be worth a try, since it is not using any medicine.

If it turns out to be fibroids, I suggest that you try some "alternative" treatments before you go with surgery...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_256/ai_n62...

Even if it's not fibroids, here are some MDs who know how to use homeopathy instead of drugs and surgery...

http://www.centerforintegralhealth.com/

Best wishes,
J.

Sounds like perimenopause, irregular periods heavy bleeding. Fibroids can cause heavy bleeding, your probably having the vaginal ultrasound and its really not that bad. Do you have night sweats hotter than usual sometimes. I wouldn't worry your at the age for the change. I am going through all of this right now so good luck. Take care A.

Go for your ultrasound ASAP. My mom went through this and my aunt currently is. My aunt (as well as my mom 11 years ago) had been diagnosed w/uterine fibroids. I myself have them and someday know what my fate will be. My aunt is anemic and is losing a lot of blood. This is very serious so don't wait. 7 weeks is a long time to bleed so badly. For the sake of you and your child please follow up soon.

Good Luck!

Hi C.--welcome to the "perimenopause" club it sounds like! I went through the exact same thing last year and had my hormone levels tested (go to this website: www.salivatest.org). That is the only way to truly test your hormone levels. Blood tests don't give detailed levels of all your hormones (testoterone, progesterone, estrogen, cortisol, DHEA). It was confirmed that I was in perimenopause and I began on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy due to the cancer risks from my grandmother. The medical profession is finding out that for some reason women are going through "the change" earlier and earlier these days. Maybe be due to all the use of synthetic birth control pills (which I was on for 18 years off and on). I have spent the last 3 months researching this topic, going to seminars, meeting with medical providers that specialize in women's hormones and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, etc. I have learned so much and knowledge is power for sure! Good luck!

Hello C., I too had the same issues from the time I was about 32. Fibroids, cysts, etc. Pretty much had a period for 10 years. First, fibroids can be removed with an outpatient precedure similar to a DNC and will relieve your symptoms. In my case it gave me about a year before the fibroids came back and an another procedure was needed. Now some people can live with fibroids and not have to do anything, however, I was bleeding heavy like you and was having major cramping. I had about 5 procedures by the time I was 42 and decided after trying hormone therapy that made me more crazy then I was (smile) I chose to have a partial hysterectomy. By this time I was 42 and knew I was not ever going to have children of my own. It now has been 6 years and I couldn't be happier. It was after my hysterectomy that they also found out that I had endometriosis that didn't show up on any tests prior that explained so many of my symptoms.

My suggestion is to do your research! This is a start. Look online for fibroid treatments. Be harmed with all this info. before you talk to your doctor and ask lots of questions. Do not let the doctors make any decisions for you. You know your self best and your research will arm with the best options for you . There are now new procedures that can be done without having a hysterectomy--it was the best for me at the time. Weigh all your options including whether you are done wanting to have children of your own--coming to terms with the finality of that is very important in your decision.

There is relief in sight. My best to you!

I do not wish to scare you because it probably is nothing and in the vast majority of cases its not but I applaud you for getting the appointment and getting something done right away. I just underwent a hysterectomy for uterine cancer Like I said, most of the time it is nothing, I just happened to luck out. There were similarities with the bleeding, but it can be totally different. The ultra sound will show the fibroids and any other gooky stuff. Also ask the doctor for iron pills if you are feeling weak, or a test for anemia in case the blood loss is too great. I never used birth control and ate perfectly fine and am actually quite healthy. So it was kind of like the lottery. I am proud and happy to say that I am cancer free, leading a normal life and even started doing the hoochie coochie with my husband again! so see, everything is solveable!woohoo!

Hi C., sorry to hear what you are going thru. I have regular but extremely heavy periods with clots & very painful cramping all the time whether I'm on my period or not. I developed benign fibroid tumors during my 4th pregnancy. They were monitored during my pregnancy to make sure the baby was safe. Now she is 2 and I am tired of the cramping. I went on birth control (my husband had a vasectomy so really no need) only to help with the cramping & heavy bleeding & it helped for a few months but not anymore plus I gained 14 pds in 4 months from the pill. My fibroids more than doubled in size in 6 months. I can feel one of them & cant lay on my stomache anymore. My ob wants me to have a partial hysterectomy but i had consultations with 2 more Dr's and opted for laprascopic abdominal myomectomy ( this removes the fibroids & repairs my uterus). Since this leaves my uterus & keeps my ovaries i wont need hormone therapy. My surgery is in 3 weeks I am 37. I hope this helps you. There are websites for you to go to like www.hystersisters.com. If I can be of any more help send me a message. Best wishes to you.

I had the same pattern. Starting in my forties my periods got longer and heavier and more painful to the point I couldn't believe that people go about their lives with this kind of situation and that doctors just tell you to go on the pill. I hoped it would improve but it did not and I started having to spend a few days each month in the house b/c I needed to stay close to the bathroom. I could only wear black and couldn't do anything beach/swim/exercise related b/c of the heavy flow and what they call "gushing". After three - four years of this hell I had a uterine ablation. Now I am virtually period free and a much happier person. Your situation could easily be peri-menopause and not fibroids. Many doctors will tell you to go on the pill and that might be a good option for you. But I suggest you do the research and not waste 3 years like I did. Good luck!