Unusual Bleeding & Cramps: What Could It Be? - Medical Advice

Question
Last week i had bad cramps and was spotting for 3 days during the morning time. I woke up was bleeding, thought i had my period but then later that day i just had a little discharge.
the next day the same thing happened, and then it happened again the next day but this time i was BLEEDING where i really thoughti had my period. Then all 3 days it turned to redish brownish discharge after the bleeding stopped.This occured with cramps and side pains
A few days after that i got my menstrul

i have a history of hpv, leading to cervical cancer, so i had to get leep, and a cold knife procedure.
My pap smears been normal since
What can this problem be??

My dsicharge before the spotting been whitish n kinda thin with like a sweet smell.
Does anyone know what might be wrong with me

Answer
Dear Suzette,

The discharge prior to the bleeding/spotting sounds perfectly normal. The abnormal bleeding may have just been due to something as simple as hormone fluctuations within your cycle this month. Our hormonal balance is a delicate thing, and if it gets thrown off even a little bit, we can experience irregular bleeding. These fluctuations can be caused by many things, such as:
-Significant weight gain or loss
-Excessive or strenuous exercise
-Poor nutrition (or a diet too high in carbohydrates)
-Smoking
-Drug use
-Excessive caffeine intake
-Excessive alcohol use (interfering with how the liver metabolizes estrogen and progesterone)
-Eating disorders
-Increased stress
-Polycystic ovarian syndrome/estrogen dominance
-Uterine abnormalities (fibroids/cysts/polyps/endometriosis)
-Hormonal imbalance related to perimenopause
-Medications
-Chemotherapy
-Thyroid dysfunction
-Recent childbirth, miscarriage, or D&C
-Breastfeeding

Now, with your history, you should note the episode to your doctor at your next visit so that a thorough examination of your cervix can be done to make sure there has been no recurrence of abnormal cells. Otherwise, I would suggest that you simply wait to see what the next cycle brings. If it returns to a normal pattern, this is likely an isolated incident. If this abnormal bleeding continues, go ahead and let your doctor know and see if they want to see you earlier than your annual Pap date.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well and a Merry Christmas.

Brenda