Women's Health Community

You need to call your gyneologists office regarding this abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Gail

I did, I left a message with the nurse in the gyn office, this morning, I'm waiting for her to call me back. I clotted again last night, and after that the bleeding slowed down, but it got a little heavier again. Its really baffling.

Dear willow: I concur with Gail. It is difficult to know whether this bleeding is a result of unusual bleeding form the LEEP site (doubt this) or is an non-ovulatory bleed (more likely). The most common reason for a menstrual pattern like you have described is not having an ovulation every month. In a normal cycle, estrogen is produced all month. Estrogen is responsible for building up the lining of your uterus so you have something to shed each month. The good news is that you have enough estrogen to make a lining that does shed (as opposed to being in menopause).

In a normal cycle, progesterone production increases following ovulation and release of an egg.. Progesterone "stabilizes" the uterine lining in preparation for a possible implantation of a new pregnancy. If you are not pregnant that month the levels of estrogen and progesterone fall, triggering the release of the uterine lining—your period.

So, if you do not ovulate, the estrogen build up of the lining continues, but without the usual ovulation associated progesterone. Thus, the hormone levels don't decline, and the lining stays up inside the uterus—your missed period. Alternatively, the built up lining can begin to shed on its own creating erratic bleeding patterns which are usually "too-light" or super heavy and prolonged.

Causes for not ovulating are multifold: thyroid problems, pituitary problems, ovarian cysts, physical stressors (eg sudden increases in exercise, crash dieting, medical procedures), emotional stressors (problems with partners, boyfriends/girlfriends, finances), increased body weight, anorexia, rotating shifts at work, etc. Even moving through our 40's is linked to more frequent missed ovulations--as is being in perimenopause.

Your GYN should be able to quickly determine if the bleeding is from the uterus or from the LEEP site. If it is from the uterus a short course of hormones may be tried to get the bleeding to stop.

Yours,
Jane

Thank you Jane, This, coupled with my mood, and the severe cystic acne (I'm now on accutane), I thought I was entering, or about to enter, peri-menopause. It may be that, or probably more likely, the stress of going throught the procedure and what the results might be along with gearing to start to go through the change, everything in combo is probably messing it up for me this month. I'm now in day 13. I'm taking it easy and resting as often as possible, and I'm writing everything down to go over with the doctor at my follow up appt on tuesday. Thank you ever so much for taking the time to reply, you have no idea how much it is appreciated.

Dear willow: No, no, I LOVE my time here; no need for thanks. You are doing the absolute best thing in writing down your questions/concerns prior to your GYN appointment. Two ways to make it most successful (from my clinical experience) are as follows:

1. Make your list in rank order. That is, first most important issue to you, second most, etc. If there is not enough time to address everything at least they will know what is troubling you the most and start there.

2. Give them the list as soon as they come into the room. That will allow them to focus available time on meaningful questions rather than social chat.

Yours,
Jane