Female Issues

I have had the same issues. I think an OBGYN is the only one that can help out, but I thought it may help to hear someone was in the same boat.

I can't say what's happening - but please do seek advice - and don't be scared of the big "C." There are lots of issues with female plumbing that aren't cancerous.

Hang in there - if you are waiting a long time for your appointment - call the office everyday and let them know you'll take any cancellation.

Good luck!

A lot depends on your age (over 35 more of a risk for cancer) and your size (larger women more risk for cancer) and whether you smoke or not. Sometimes bleeding is due to thyroid issues, other underlying health issues, or medications/supplements. If you're young, more than likely your bleeding is hormonal, either due to too much estrogen, not enough progesterone or too little estrogen. More than likely your doctor will want to do a pelvic ultrasound to measure the lining inside your uterus, that helps determine the estrogen vs. progesterone issue. Sometimes if the lining is really thick your doctor will do an endometrial biopsy that will rule out cancer. Some women require D & C to stop the abnormal bleeding. Other options include high doses of ibuprofen, estrogen & or progestin depending on the problem. Uterine bleeding is scary, but it is a very common problem, and more than likely it is not due to cancer. Good luck to you. A. Marie

J., I agree that you really need to go to the dr and get some tests done. Like posted below it can be as simple as hormones at a wack, or something more serious (like what you suggested). There are many things that it could be, get tested for these before you get yourself worked up about cancer (stress can worsen the bleeding). A good fiend of mine had problems with bleeding more than not, and turned out she had Endometriosis. They ruled out all kinds of things and went in for exploratory laproscopic surgery andfound ALOT of Endometriosis on her Uterus. They were able to successfully burn it off. She has been feeling great and no more bleeding all month (just a normal cycle finally). Birth dontrol can keep endo at bay, so it would explain it happening after you stopped. hormones control alot in our bodies.
I would like to point out that she too has no insurance and knew she had to get this taken care of for her 3 little boys.Most dr offices and hospitals will work with you on payments, or possibly grants.
I wish you the best and please please go in!!

Please don't be too afraid to seek help. And don't worry about the money. If you guys are really struggling financially, see if you are qualified for OHP. If not, many doctor's offices will take payment plans.

But, whatever you do, please go in and get it checked out. If it is the "C" word or something scarey, early intervention is the best thing! Left alone things can get worse and become untreatable. SO you are doing the right thing by going through the tests and getting it checked out. It may just be a weird side effect from the pills you were taking. Hormones are stored in our fat cells, so if you have been losing weight or even maintaining, the hormones can slowly continue to release too! So they may be messing up your system.

Please post back and let us know how you are doing!

I agree that you need to get this checked out and shouldn't be too afraid. There are so many issues that can come with bleeding and most of them actually aren't cancerous. Some of them can be easily diagnosed by ultrasound (like fibroids or ovarian cysts) so speak to your doctor about your limited funds and develop a plan on how to conduct the testing. He should be able to suggest what the most likely condition is and go from there, there is no need to run all possible tests at once (though many doctors like to, also for liability reasons).
You may even have a completely benign condition that may not even require treatment...

As for you husband being "fixed"... there is no 100% safe method of contraception, not even vasectomy or tubal ligation (failure rate about 0.1%). Just saying...

You can't afford not to go see your doctor. It may or may not be something that will require a lot of testing, but if it does so they can start treatment, then this is a whole lot cheaper than the alternative. You say you're afraid it might be cancer. Well, early detection allows for any treatment plan to be more effective. Waiting removes options, and removing those options could remove you from your 3 sons and husband. Please go see your doctor. If your don't have insurance, talk with the dr's office about payment arrangements. If you don't have health insurance, see about qualifying for your state's basic health care plan. If the diagnosis is something big, like cancer, there are federally funded programs to get you the treatment you need. Also go to www.laf.org, which is the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Ask for the patient navigator and they will help you find answers regarding treatment, work with you on getting the resources you and your family need to survive and more importantly thrive while you're fighting the disease. But don't wait. This could be something simple or it may not, but delaying only makes your head hurt with all the what if's. Take good care and keep us posted.

I have adenomyosis which contributes to my body doing exactly what you are talking about here. It is simply this: whenever you have a period you bleed into the muscle tissue of your uterus and it basically causes a type of bruise so that anytime there is activity or pressure in that region a little blood will be expelled. However, like everyone else said. There are a lot of different things it could be that are easily treated and not a big deal. Hormones, endometriosis or adenomyosis, stress, etc, etc. The best thing to do is first see your doctor about it, then get on a balanced diet and exercise. Disease cannot function in your body's cells if they are properly oxygenated. The best supplement out there to assist the body in keeping cells healthy is Genesis. It has resveratrol in a patented form that no other company has. Antioxidants galore and it tastes just like pomagranate/grape juice. I know this sounds like a sales pitch, but it truly is an amazing product. It gives you 24 hour protection against free radicals and you only take 1 oz a day (about the size of a shot glass). Let me know if you'd like to try it. Since I've been on it I've noticed less erratic bleeding, more energy and less fatigue. I have two friends that have fought off terminal cancer with it. One had bone cancer and the other a form of lymphoma. Please do go see your doctor and find out what this is for sure and then take steps to cure it for the sake of your kids. Don't be afraid, your body can beat anything with hope, faith and determination.

Hi J.,

I had the same kind of spotting when I went #2. Turned out to be low progesterone. Very easy to fix. Now I take prog. on days 10-28 of my cycle and the last 3 months have been like clockwork. Before that I could be bleeding or spotting for 20 days! What a pain. I suspect your hormones are just readjusting or out of wack. In anycase ask your OB for a hormone test. I believe you test yourself everyday for a whole cycle. Gives you a very accurate picture of what is going on.

Take Care!
Rose