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Irregular periods or something more serious!?
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An_247111 posted:
Since June I've experienced bleeding every 2 weeks. It's progressively getting worse. At first my GYN said she thought it could just be ovulation bleeding. But the breakthroughs are getting longer, heavier, and more painful. Its Aug, now and I had my monthly,but my biweekly is here. & now I'm passing clots and losing way more blood than a regular cycle! What to do... what to think..? Help!!! (Also, Im TTC so I really hope this isnt signs of miscarriage.)
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Irregular periods or something more serious!?Since June I've experienced bleeding every 2 weeks. It's progressively getting worse. At first my GYN said she thought it could just be ovulation bleeding. But the breakthroughs are getting longer, heavier, and more painful. Its Aug, now and I had my monthly,but my biweekly is here. & now I'm passing clots and losing way more blood than a regular cycle! What to do... what to think..? Help!!! (Also, Im TTC so I really hope this isnt signs of miscarriage.)
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Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear An: You have had a flow every two weeks during the months of June, July, and now August--hope I am tracking you correctly. Yes,given this specific timing the most likely cause would be bleeding with ovulation. Right before ovulation there is a brief spike of estrogen. When this level drops back down to normal, the sharp decline can destabilize the lining of the uterus leading to spotting/bleeding. Some women have this sign of ovulation every month; others only rarely. Fortunately the amount is usually scant and brief in duration.

Some other possible causes of erratic spotting can include a new chlamydia infection (unlikely if you are both monogamous). polyps of the lining of the uterus (way more common in midlife women), or missed/erratic ovulations (usually there will be a history of missed/irregular periods).

Given what you have shared, a miscarriage is often able to trigger a positive urine pregnancy test. Thus, if you strongly think it is a miscarriage, you should get a sensitive pregnancy test done. If it is negative, which I would hope and expect, then my best GUESS is as follows.

If you are missing ovulations that can create the type of bleeding pattern you have described. Paradoxically, the "happy stress" of trying to conceive (TTC)) can temporarily interfere with ovulations. If you had a prior history of irregular periods (eg were using birth control pills for this prior to TTC), you may have returned to your underlying pattern.

Ultimately your own GYN can give you the most "for sure" answer. They may suggest that you use an ovulation predictor kit, basal body temperature charting, or some other method of tracking ovulations to help you with the TTC. Gee, I hope that you can conceive soon!

Yours,
Jane
Report This| Share this:Irregular periods or something more serious!?Dear An: You have had a flow every two weeks during the months of June, July, and now August--hope I am tracking you correctly. Yes,given this specific timing the most likely cause would be bleeding with ovulation. Right before ovulation there is a brief spike of estrogen. When this level drops back down to normal, the sharp decline can destabilize the lining of the uterus leading to spotting/bleeding. Some women have this sign of ovulation every month; others only rarely. Fortunately the amount is usually scant and brief in duration.<br /><br />Some other possible causes of erratic spotting can include a new chlamydia infection (unlikely if you are both monogamous). polyps of the lining of the uterus (way more common in midlife women), or missed/erratic ovulations (usually there will be a history of missed/irregular periods).<br /><br />Given what you have shared, a miscarriage is often able to trigger a positive urine pregnancy test. Thus, if you strongly think it is a miscarriage, you should get a sensitive pregnancy test done. If it is negative, which I would hope and expect, then my best GUESS is as follows.<br /><br />If you are missing ovulations that can create the type of bleeding pattern you have described. Paradoxically, the "happy stress" of trying to conceive (TTC)) can temporarily interfere with ovulations. If you had a prior history of irregular periods (eg were using birth control pills for this prior to TTC), you may have returned to your underlying pattern.<br /><br />Ultimately your own GYN can give you the most "for sure" answer. They may suggest that you use an ovulation predictor kit, basal body temperature charting, or some other method of tracking ovulations to help you with the TTC. Gee, I hope that you can conceive soon!<br /><br />Yours,<br />Jane
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