Menstrual bleeding

Submitted by sheepherder on February 2, 2012 - 7:19pm
Body: 

Would like to know if anyone else who has gone through pre-menopause has experienced similar symptoms. I am 53 and have been bleeding for 2 weeks. It is light, but has not changed color, did become heavy like a normal period for several days, but has continued. Is this normal for pre-menopause? I am worried something is wrong. I haven't researched anything else on the internet or in books so if anyone can answer my questions I'd appreciate it. Thank you.

Forum:

louiseds

February 3, 2012 - 3:02am

Hi Sheepherder

I think anything goes with bleeding during perimenopause. All sorts of things go heywire, and everyone knows it is because the woman is perimenopausal. However, none of it seems to be any more life threatening than having a period, albeit a long period. These weird occurrences, and others concerning mental health, prolapse and others, are the very reason why gynaecologists waiting rooms are filled with perimenopausal women, who are alarmed at what their bodies are doing, and need reassurance.

However, I can hear that you are feeling a bit distressed about it. I figure that if it started off with a normal bleed and has just gone on and on, it is probably just perimenopausal bleeding, but go and get it checked by your doctor if you need more reassurance. I would go to my family doctor, not a gyn, if the bleeding went unabated for a month. I bet you will get answers from others who have had very long bleeds during perimenopause.

Louise

cleo

February 3, 2012 - 4:22am

Hi Sheepherder,I had lots of bleeding before menopause but it soon stopped at 56 years. Of course then i had prolapse so we always have something it seems.I went to so many doctors and they wanted me to have a hysterectomy.I have now learnt my lesson and just read Whole Woman if something is wrong.Of course always check if you are worried with a doctor.I am feeling a lot better now as out here we have had terrible heat and now it's raining a little.Some states have flooding now.

Surviving60

February 3, 2012 - 6:32am

Yes Sheepherder, I'd say that wacky periods are the absolute best indicator of perimenopause. I wouldn't be at all concerned unless it were to get heavy. Mine became very erratic for a couple of years, then stopped, then I think I had a long one such as you describe, and that was it.

Want To be Whol...

February 3, 2012 - 9:00am

Much like Surviving60, I experienced two years of erratic menstruation in all respects (duration, regularity of onset, type of flow...). Prior to perimenopause my cycles were predictable, so this was very unsettling. Everything has been grinding to a halt for me. Toward the end of the two year erratic stage I menstruated very lightly in November of 2010, and then went without one for nearly 4 months until unexpectedly having a 'normal' one in March of 2011 and nothing since. This is how it goes for some of us. I ran the gamut of: heavy flow, light, spotting, normal...and yes, even the normal kind that would end with spotting that seemed to go on for a week longer than usual.

Christine

February 3, 2012 - 9:45am

I bled for a month straight and also had a couple of episodes of intense menstrual flooding. These were dramatic and unlike anything I had ever experienced, except birth. The uterus cleanses and purges itself during these last reproductive months and years. Unfortunately, "dysfunctional uterine bleeding" is a common indication for hysterectomy.

sheepherder

February 4, 2012 - 6:54am

It has been so heavy the past few days, with passing a lot of clots as well. Not normal. I know it's affecting my mental state with worrying about it. Scheduled to see a gynecologist Monday. Christine are you saying that doctors recommend hystercectomy for "dysfunctional uterine bleeding" or that may be what will have to be done? Thanks.

louiseds

February 5, 2012 - 12:21am

I'll just quickly comment, Sheepherder. Yes, "dysfunctional uterine bleeding" is a common reason why women agree to hysterectomy, despite it being something that happens only for a limited period of time. For a woman having a really distressing time of it, news that she can have a hysterectomy is often received with relief. However, making a decision to have a hysterectomy at a time of distress is not wise decision-making. In addition to this, women are often not told the whole story on hysterectomy and what may happen afterwards, often many years afterwards. To check this out visit The HERS Foundation, http://www.hersfoundation.com/ . It has comprehensive information and a good list of questions to ask your doctor before consenting.

Best practice these days is to reserve hysterectomy only for conditions where retaining the uterus would be life-threatening, but best practice isn't always the benchmark.

Nobody can make you have hysterectomy. It is something that requires a lot of thought. After finding this website and having some initial progress in the first couple of weeks I decided that the hysterectomy that was offered to me was totally unnecessary at the time, though I knew I would always have that option if I couldn't make Wholewoman techniques work. I did have a year or so of long, heavy periods, with some episodes of very heavy bleeding which made me not want to go anywhere away from the house for a few days, but I knew it was a temporary situation, so I wasn't scared by it. I am so glad I made the decision I made to stay in one piece.

Fear of bleeding to death seems to be the main worry, and running out of iron stores. There are dietary and other therapies that can help you to get heavy bleeding under control.

Louise

sheepherder

February 5, 2012 - 12:23pm

I am thinking now I am over reacting to this whole situation. I am still struggling with stage 2 uterine prolapse, but I am honest to say I haven't worked the WW program as much as it should be in order to see success. I'm not patient and want to know how long it would take to actually get it to feel more compfortable for me. I am committed to eating right and getting aerobic exercise as much as possible, but to add another thing to do, with working full time, is alot. I know I need to work harder at WW posture and some of the other exercises, however I am still not flexible and very stiff to assume many of the yoga positions. I guess I'm needing an opinion of what is more important at this point to help myself trying to do all that WW recommends to put things back into place or tyring to find a happy medium where I can do both WW workout & aerobic exercise (usually walking). Whole Woman has pretty well convinced me of hysterectomy being unnecessary and since no one knows an outcome til after the fact how would anyone know if it could improve quality of life? Another issue I'm dealing with is that I believe my husband would like me to go ahead and have surgery because he's tired of me complaining about it. I guess I need to be more postitive so he will be more supportive. Also, I am scheduled for surgery in June to repair my rotator cuff and remove bone spurs from my shoulder. At least rest will be gotten then. Please make any comments or suggestions for anything I've said here. Thanks.

sheepherder

February 5, 2012 - 1:10pm

There's a lot to explore on this website! One word mentioned in a video by a MAN (Dr I think). He said "the uterus is SACRED . . ." Right along with what Christine has said in her book and videos about the uterus being the core of a woman's existence. That brought tears to my eyes and makes me more determined than ever to keep my organs! Thanks again Louise, Christine & WW

Surviving60

February 5, 2012 - 1:30pm

Sheepherder, you are going through a tough time right now, with the bleeding. There is every reason to believe that this will resolve as menopause progresses. So in the meantime, work on understanding the posture principles and incorporating the posture into your life. There will be plenty of time later for more strenuous stuff when you are feeling better. The posture is a challenge! Even now after over a year and a half, I sometimes catch myself with that tight belly and have to stop and correct. It does work, but not overnight. And realize that all Christine's exercises are really about reinforcing those very posture principles. Gentle but effective. Give yourself some time! - Surviving

gfkspicoli

February 5, 2012 - 7:38pm

Hi sheepherder....I agree with surviving 60. You've got a lot on your plate right now so be patient with yourself, take the best care of yourself that you can (no one else will do as good of a job as you can) and just deal with things one at a time as they come along. We can do only so much in the time available!

louiseds

February 5, 2012 - 8:27pm

Hi Sheepherder

It is not really an either/or thing. Increasing your flexibility will be easier as you become physically stronger. Being flexible allows you to hold WW posture. WW posture is essential for moving your pelvic organs forwards, (which means they will sit higher automatically.) This work will take some time. If you regularly do the right type of exercise and stretch gently you will find that in twelve months time you *will* be stronger and more flexible. If you push it harder or faster than your body is able to go, it will hurt, and you will stop doing it. The happy medium is 'in your comfort zone' and pushing it a little further all the time.

It is easy to get frustrated, wanting it all to happen suddenly, preferably by tomorrow, but it doesn't happen that way.

This is about using your body better and looking after your body better for the rest of your life.

Louise

:-)