QuestionSome background - I'm a 35yo woman, been on birth control for the past 8 years but I quit 6 months ago. I had a normal exam a year ago. My periods have always been 100% normal.
I'm not sure when my last period was so I guess I'm due for one. I've been racking my brains and it must have been at least 3 weeks ago - I think??
So I've been seeing blood the past 3-4 days. But I have yet to dirty a pad or see it in my urine stream. Just a scant smear of blood on the toilet paper when I wipe, maybe once a day. I have NEVER encountered this before. I do not have pain when I urinate or anything like that, although I have a history of UTIs. Any suggestions as to what could be going on?
Thank you.
AnswerYour periods have always been normal partly because you were on the pill for 8 years. Now you're 35 years old, and it's not unusual for your ovarian hormones (which control periods) to be less regular, resulting less regular periods and sometimes spotting. It could also be that you've developed some fibroids, which are benign tumors of the uterus which are common during the 30's and 40's. Since it's been a year since your last exam, I would recommend seeing your doctor for an exam and evaluation of the bleeding. I don't think it's anything serious, but you may have further irregular bleeding in the future (if you're not on the pill), and it will be good to discuss this with your doctor and know when to come in for evaluation. It may also be that you haven't ovulated for a while, in which case you may need some progesterone pills to resolve the spotting.
