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Spotting?
An_246914 posted:
I missed my first period October 2010, when I missed November too I went to my dr. exam went well, she assured me that at 51 I was right on time and I was lucky to have been so regular for so long.
For 8 months my periods went back on schedule, every 25 days.
In Sept 2011, after my period I has clear cm and it lasted for more then 2 weeks. This happened the last time I missed a period, and sure enough I skipped Oct.
I began charting my basal temperatures, I could see from my temperatures I am not ovulating regularly.
Periods were 47 days, 21 days, 37 days, 105 days, 16 days....
I am now on 115 days without a true period. I see from my temperature chart that my temperatures are all low, (just below 97) and there is no spike at all since April 3rd.
My problem is in the month of July I spotted for 14 days, stopped for 5 days and an now spotting for 8 days. Most of the time it's only on the tp after I use the bathroom, occasionally makes it to a mini pad.
I am hesitant to go to the dr because I have a $2,500 deductible on my insurance.
I can't take HRT.
The spotting is annoying and worrisome, is this a common symptom of peri? What is a reasonable amount of time to wait to see if it stops on it's own?
For 8 months my periods went back on schedule, every 25 days.
In Sept 2011, after my period I has clear cm and it lasted for more then 2 weeks. This happened the last time I missed a period, and sure enough I skipped Oct.
I began charting my basal temperatures, I could see from my temperatures I am not ovulating regularly.
Periods were 47 days, 21 days, 37 days, 105 days, 16 days....
I am now on 115 days without a true period. I see from my temperature chart that my temperatures are all low, (just below 97) and there is no spike at all since April 3rd.
My problem is in the month of July I spotted for 14 days, stopped for 5 days and an now spotting for 8 days. Most of the time it's only on the tp after I use the bathroom, occasionally makes it to a mini pad.
I am hesitant to go to the dr because I have a $2,500 deductible on my insurance.
I can't take HRT.
The spotting is annoying and worrisome, is this a common symptom of peri? What is a reasonable amount of time to wait to see if it stops on it's own?
4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Spotting?I missed my first period October 2010, when I missed November too I went to my dr. exam went well, she assured me that at 51 I was right on time and I was lucky to have been so regular for so long. <br /> <br />For 8 months my periods went back on schedule, every 25 days. <br /> <br />In Sept 2011, after my period I has clear cm and it lasted for more then 2 weeks. This happened the last time I missed a period, and sure enough I skipped Oct. <br /> <br />I began charting my basal temperatures, I could see from my temperatures I am not ovulating regularly. <br /> <br />Periods were 47 days, 21 days, 37 days, 105 days, 16 days.... <br /> <br />I am now on 115 days without a true period. I see from my temperature chart that my temperatures are all low, (just below 97) and there is no spike at all since April 3rd. <br /> <br />My problem is in the month of July I spotted for 14 days, stopped for 5 days and an now spotting for 8 days. Most of the time it's only on the tp after I use the bathroom, occasionally makes it to a mini pad. <br /> <br /> I am hesitant to go to the dr because I have a $2,500 deductible on my insurance. <br /> <br />I can't take HRT. <br /> <br />The spotting is annoying and worrisome, is this a common symptom of peri? What is a reasonable amount of time to wait to see if it stops on it's own?
Mary Jane Minkin, MD responded:
Dear An_246914,
This well could be a normal perimenopausal situation; in perimenopause, as you have found, you don't ovulate properly, and you don't make the progesterone in good amounts which can regulate the lining of your uterus. However, the concern is could something "funky" be going on in the lining of your uterus, causing the bleeding. One non costly thing to try would be to speak to your primary care provider about prescribing some progestin for a 10 day course; something like generic norethindrone, 5 mg a day, should be reasonably inexpensive. If this spotting is simply due to some non ovulatory bleeding, a course of progestin would help you to clean out chemically the lining of your uterus (almost like a chemical D and C)-you would have a bit of bleeding after you finished the progestin.
Then if you continued to have spotting, it might well be due to an abnormality in the lining of the uterus, which unfortunately should be evaluated.
Planned Parenthood may well have some affordable care for you, if cost is a barrier.
Hope this helps, and good luck,
Mary Jane
This well could be a normal perimenopausal situation; in perimenopause, as you have found, you don't ovulate properly, and you don't make the progesterone in good amounts which can regulate the lining of your uterus. However, the concern is could something "funky" be going on in the lining of your uterus, causing the bleeding. One non costly thing to try would be to speak to your primary care provider about prescribing some progestin for a 10 day course; something like generic norethindrone, 5 mg a day, should be reasonably inexpensive. If this spotting is simply due to some non ovulatory bleeding, a course of progestin would help you to clean out chemically the lining of your uterus (almost like a chemical D and C)-you would have a bit of bleeding after you finished the progestin.
Then if you continued to have spotting, it might well be due to an abnormality in the lining of the uterus, which unfortunately should be evaluated.
Planned Parenthood may well have some affordable care for you, if cost is a barrier.
Hope this helps, and good luck,
Mary Jane
Report This| Share this:Spotting?Dear An_246914,<br />This well could be a normal perimenopausal situation; in perimenopause, as you have found, you don't ovulate properly, and you don't make the progesterone in good amounts which can regulate the lining of your uterus. However, the concern is could something "funky" be going on in the lining of your uterus, causing the bleeding. One non costly thing to try would be to speak to your primary care provider about prescribing some progestin for a 10 day course; something like generic norethindrone, 5 mg a day, should be reasonably inexpensive. If this spotting is simply due to some non ovulatory bleeding, a course of progestin would help you to clean out chemically the lining of your uterus (almost like a chemical D and C)-you would have a bit of bleeding after you finished the progestin. <br />Then if you continued to have spotting, it might well be due to an abnormality in the lining of the uterus, which unfortunately should be evaluated. <br />Planned Parenthood may well have some affordable care for you, if cost is a barrier.<br />Hope this helps, and good luck,<br />Mary Jane
Detoxx replied to Mary Jane Minkin, MD's response:
Thank you so much for your reply. Unfortunately, because of a hemangioma on my liver, I was advised by my GP, my GYN, and the surgeon that took out my gallbladder to never take any type of hormones because they could cause it to grow.
With non ovulatory bleeding, what is usual? Expected?
I am at day 125 now and tremperatures are still low, showing no spike, no ovulation.
Would eventually settle down?
With non ovulatory bleeding, what is usual? Expected?
I am at day 125 now and tremperatures are still low, showing no spike, no ovulation.
Would eventually settle down?
Report This| Share this:Spotting?Thank you so much for your reply. Unfortunately, because of a hemangioma on my liver, I was advised by my GP, my GYN, and the surgeon that took out my gallbladder to never take any type of hormones because they could cause it to grow. <br /> <br />With non ovulatory bleeding, what is usual? Expected? <br /> <br />I am at day 125 now and tremperatures are still low, showing no spike, no ovulation. <br /> <br />Would eventually settle down?
Dear Detoxx,
I would double check back with your health care providers; usually when they tell folks not to take hormonal therapy, they are usually referring to estrogen; most would not have a problem with progestins; so I would ask them specifically if they were referring to progestins, as well as to estrogens.
Good luck,
Mary Jane
I would double check back with your health care providers; usually when they tell folks not to take hormonal therapy, they are usually referring to estrogen; most would not have a problem with progestins; so I would ask them specifically if they were referring to progestins, as well as to estrogens.
Good luck,
Mary Jane
Report This| Share this:Spotting?Dear Detoxx,<br />I would double check back with your health care providers; usually when they tell folks not to take hormonal therapy, they are usually referring to estrogen; most would not have a problem with progestins; so I would ask them specifically if they were referring to progestins, as well as to estrogens.<br />Good luck,<br />Mary Jane
Detoxx replied to Mary Jane Minkin, MD's response:
Thank you. I appreciate your time and suggestions.
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