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What Could Cause Unusually Light Menstrual Bleeding That Lasted Only A Couple Of Days?

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Posted on Tue, 21 Dec 2021
Question: Patient ProfileGender: FemaleAge: 42Visited a Doctor: NoMedications Tried: N/A
I have had an unusual period that has lasted for 7 days (very light only needed a pantyliner). I then stopped for 2 days and started with light pink spotting, only when I wipe but I am now on day 3 of spotting and this is starting to get more like light bleeding. I will attach my cycles and see if you can advise. I am worried that something is really wrong. I am trying to conceive and I am aged 42. Polycystic ovaries have been ruled out. I have recently started taking Metformin as I am a borderline diabetic.

I previously had a missed miscarriage where I was 12 weeks pregnant but went for a scan and baby stopped growing at 5.5 weeks. I had a natural miscarriage at home.

The miscarriage was in May 2017 and after this my cycles have been regular.

Please advise what this bleeding could be. I worry about cancer or the menopause.

I have no symptoms other than this unusual bleeding.

I am also using a Clearblue fertility monitor which only every shows low and high days and never a peak.

I have used Clearblue digital ovulation test and this gives positive ovulation.

My GP says he is confident that I do ovulate as I have been pregnant before.

Do you see me be able to get pregnant again?

Please answer my questions asap as I am really worried and panic.

Thank you very much for your help.

I have attached blood results but these are from 2016.

I am to have day 2 bloods on my next cycle for hormones but I am unsure of when my day 2 will be as this current period and light bleeding has really thrown me out.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Further evaluation is required.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,


I have gone through your query and also the reports attached. I would like to share my opinion.

There is a regularity in your menstrual cycles and the possibility of ovulatory cycles is higher in such scenario.

You are unlikely to be in the peri-menopause considering your age and the cycles.

It is true that you can conceive again, but, as follicular count declines by advancing age, the chances of natural conception decrease. So, assistance is needed for better results.

A trans-vaginal/pelvic sonogram, coagulation profile, urinalysis are helpful to assess the cause of the current aberration. Exclusion of an undetected pregnancy, infections and bleeding disorders are thus possible. Stress, sudden weight changes and hormone imbalances apart from local causes like infections of the vagina/cervix, polyps of the cervix and uterus are other causes which can be excluded through a proper clinical assessment. Cancer is an unlikely possibility.

Further management can be planned accordingly.

Hope your query has been answered. Please feel free to contact for further clarifications. I will be happy to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (41 minutes later)
The bleeding I am having today is more like a period
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Please get a clinical evaluation by a specialist.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing back.

The bleeding pattern in this cycle appears to be a breakthrough. It could either be due to a transient hormone imbalance, a metropathic cycle, which needs clinical clarification. The sonogram is very important along with a clinical exam to come to a conclusion.

I would ask you to see a gynecologist for evaluation to help plan further management.

Though the bleeding pattern is resembling a period, it is still abnormal.

Once investigated, styptics and if necessary, hormone courses may be used to control the bleeding. Supplements are also needed to maintain normal health.

Hope you find this information useful. Please get back if you need anything else.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (51 minutes later)
You don't think it's as serious as cancer? Will I have ovulated?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is unlikely to be due to a cancer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing again.

From the clinical picture, the cause of this bleeding is unlikely to be due to a cancer. It is more likely to be due to some other cause like hormone imbalance or polyps etc.

Had you ovulated in the last cycle, you would have had a normal bleeding pattern provided you did not conceive. In the current scenario, it is more likely that you may not have ovulated.

Hope this helps.

Wish you good health.

regards,
Shanti.V
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (6 minutes later)
Do you think it could be a miscarriage or more likely hormone imbalance? I will go to GP Monday
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Clarification can be done through investigation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing again.

Clarification can be done through investigation whether an undetected pregnancy or hormone imbalance is the cause of this bleeding pattern.

However, I think hormone imbalance is the more likely cause. Please go ahead with your appointment.

Hope this helps.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (27 minutes later)
Last question it isn't a period it is too light as I thought earlier so maybe hormone imbalance what do I do to.sort that out
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing again.

Please sort out through investigation whether you have hormone imbalance. The correction is all the more important since you are anxious to conceive.

Hope all your queries have been clarified.

Wish you good health.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (2 hours later)
I do have a bmi of 44 that was 49 I am trying to lose weight to be healthy will this make a difference and bring ovulation naturally? Do you think.I do usually ovulate
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Bringing down your weight will definitely help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing back.

Bringing down your weight will definitely help in management of hormone levels and thus, in maintenance of ovulation.

I cannot give a presumption that you ovulate usually because I have not followed you in person.

Ovulation kits show the possibility of ovulation by detecting LH surge but they do not detect if ovulation has actually occurred. Follicular studies are useful in this situation. A simpler and effective method is the recording of the basal body temperature from day one of the cycle. Ovulation is indicated by a rise in the temperature and this is sustained if conception occurs.

Hope I have answered your queries. Please get back if you need anything else.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shanti Vennam

OBGYN

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 7667 Questions

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What Could Cause Unusually Light Menstrual Bleeding That Lasted Only A Couple Of Days?

Brief Answer: Further evaluation is required. Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through your query and also the reports attached. I would like to share my opinion. There is a regularity in your menstrual cycles and the possibility of ovulatory cycles is higher in such scenario. You are unlikely to be in the peri-menopause considering your age and the cycles. It is true that you can conceive again, but, as follicular count declines by advancing age, the chances of natural conception decrease. So, assistance is needed for better results. A trans-vaginal/pelvic sonogram, coagulation profile, urinalysis are helpful to assess the cause of the current aberration. Exclusion of an undetected pregnancy, infections and bleeding disorders are thus possible. Stress, sudden weight changes and hormone imbalances apart from local causes like infections of the vagina/cervix, polyps of the cervix and uterus are other causes which can be excluded through a proper clinical assessment. Cancer is an unlikely possibility. Further management can be planned accordingly. Hope your query has been answered. Please feel free to contact for further clarifications. I will be happy to help. regards, Shanti.V.