What Could Irregular Periods Mean?

Posted on Sat, 9 Jul 2011

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 9 Jul 2011 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I had an abnormal smear test about 6 months ago and went back three months later for another one. This was fine. I'm in my mid 30s and I have missed a couple of periods in the last year. A hormone test was all good and fine . I've now had a period on the 3rd of XXXXXXX which was normal for 8 days then I've been on again on the 24th of XXXXXXX ,that only lasted 3 days and now I've come on again the 6th of XXXXXXX . The last two are thick brown blood. Not heavy ,but not spotting. I've been wiped out I bleed after sex but that wasn't heavy. Can you help please thanks.

Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (39 minutes later)

Hello,

Thanks for the query.

First,do a pregnancy test at home if you have been sexually active in the last month.If the test is negative then you have a symptom called polymenorrhea.There can be several causes but usually hormone imbalance is the commonest cause.
You should get you thyroid levels checked.
Also repeat a pap smear after 6 months of the last one.
Get an ultrasound to rule out DUB, polyp,fibroids etc.
If required a D&C and endometrial biopsy may also need to be done.

Bleeding after sex isnt normal and finding out the cause here is imperative.
Please visit your doctor and get the tests done.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Rhea Chanda (11 hours later)

I have been with the same partner for 15 yrs now ,3 children later we decided we ddidnt want anymore so my partner had the snip. One other thing I forgot is it difficult to urinate. But my bladder always seems full and if I push on my stomache it makes me want to go. Had thyroid and hormone done as they were testing to see if I was going through the change. What does DUB stand for. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (15 minutes later)

Hi,

Good to hear from you again.

DUB is called dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Its pretty common and most cases the cause cannot be found out. But DUB doesnt usually cause bleeding after sex, that is why I asked you to repeat the pap and get an ultrasound to rule out other causes.

The urinary problems could be due to any pathology like a fibroid etc pushing on the baldder or due to infection.

Hence, I suggested the above tests.

Hope this answers the query.

Wish you good health.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari