Mid-Cycle Bleeding

[mlouise 36]

I am 39 years old (female) and as of this morning, I am having some mid-cycle bleeding. I am 4 days post-period (finished up this past weekend). Period was super light, though.

I have been under an extreme amount of stress the last 2 weeks. Young son was in the hospital for the last 1.5 weeks so I was stressed out a ton. 

Its not a lot of blood but its scaring me. Actually, its really freaking me out. I have had this before but its been a few years. My gyno then said it was normal. I even went to the ER back then bc I was so scared. Haven't had it since.

Ovarian cancer, right????????

I just know this is the moment I have been afraid of all of these years. 

[MobileChucko 23]

Hi mlouise...  Mid period spotting is typically nothing to worry about.  The #1 reason for this happening is that a "dip" in estrogen at ovulation occurs, and this can cause spotting days after your period is complete.  Stress can certainly play a major role in changes in our hormones, in both men and women.  The fact that you have been under so much stress with your son being in the hospital could certainly be the cause of this.  Give it a few days, and try to find activities that will lower your stress.  Hope your son is doing better, and you too...  Chuck🐈

[mlouise 36]

TYPICALLY nothing to worry about. 😟

[Bella P 75]

Everyone has spotting sometimes, it's actually quite normal. Sometimes your uterine lining becomes too thick and it has to shed even if it's not time for your period. It's when it is chronic that it becomes an issue. Extreme stress can also cause breakthrough bleeds. It's also possible that all of the blood didn't get out during your period, and you just had a bit of a left over trickle. I'm sure that you're okay If it's really bothering you it wouldn't hurt to talk to your doctor about it, but I'm sure that it's alright. Bleeding between periods has many benign causes. If you use birth control birth control causes spotting and break through bleeds because your uterine lining builds up and eventually it has to give. I have PCOS and have to take birth control or I will constantly bleed, and actually recently had a scare with this, so that is how I know. I hope that you feel better soon.  

[mlouise 36]

I am not on BC but last time I had this, my dr suggested it. I passed bc I don’t do well on BC. It cranks my anxiety up. 

I am petrified. Even though I know this is common, I am so scared. I just know I’m dying. 

Im even crampy now. I want to crawl into a hole and never come out. This is the beginning of the end and I just know it. 

[Bella P 75]

6 minutes ago, mlouise said:

I am not on BC but last time I had this, my dr suggested it. I passed bc I don’t do well on BC. It cranks my anxiety up. 

I am petrified. Even though I know this is common, I am so scared. I just know I’m dying. 

Im even crampy now. I want to crawl into a hole and never come out. This is the beginning of the end and I just know it. 

That's what happened to me, I got cramps even though it was just a breakthrough bleed, it's most likely because your uterine lining got thick. There are also other very benign conditions that can cause this. I don't think it is cancer, but I completely understand why you're scared. That is why I would talk to your doctor just for peace of mind. In the mean time take some medicine to help the pain or use a heating pad and lay down and relax. Watch something that will make you happy or read a book. I know it's easier said than done, but you have to try to calm down, stressing out is only going to make it worse. It will be okay. Do you have chamomile tea or anything like that? Drink some. 

[mlouise 36]

Last time I talked my dr about this he assured me it happens and that it was hormonal.

He even said 9/10 calls the nurse gets everyday are for the same thing. But still. 

I’m not spotting anymore (as of earlier this afternoon) but I just know it’s going to come back. 

[Iugrad91 501]

All of that is your anxiety talking. Your doc said it’s normal once in a while and very common, just search this forum and see how many posts there are! Your anxiety is making you think the worst. The stress of the last few weeks doesn’t help, and yes, it can mess with your hormones and your cycle. However, you do not know it will come back, nor is it the beginning of the end. You need to let those feelings go and listen to what your doctor said. Whenever your anxiety tells you otherwise, talk back to it and tell it what you know. You’ve seen the doctor, you know it’s very common, they were not concerned. 

[mlouise 36]

But still. It could be different this time.

[Iugrad91 501]

Again, anxiety talking. If it happens a few months in a row, then talk to the doc. Even then it’s most likely nothing. But a single episode of spotting is not a death sentence. Beating down health anxiety is all about defeating the what if response we have to our sensations and symptoms. One headache-brain tumor? Back ache-ovarian cancer or bone tumor? 99.999% of the time it’s nothing. What would you tell someone who had your symptom? You’d say, “My doc said it’s super common and they get calls all the time for that. I had it too and everything checked out fine. It’s probably just a one time thing because of the stress you are under, you’ll be fine!”

Tell yourself that EVERY TIME your anxiety tries to tell you otherwise.

[mlouise 36]

I haven’t had it since early this afternoon but still...I’m constantly checking to see if it’s back.

I hate feeling like this. I hate feeling so depressed, doomed and hopeless. I want to stick my head in the sand and scream. I feel so doomed. 

Thank you for talking to me. I just wish I didn’t feel so sad. 

[mollyfin 366]

11 hours ago, mlouise said:

TYPICALLY nothing to worry about. 😟

And you would be atypical because...why?  Do you have a history of GYN problems?  Family history of ovarian cancer?  Are you over 60 years of age? If you're blowing off the idea of your being typical "just because," well, I hate to tell you, but it's your anxiety you need to worry about, not your ovaries.  The doctor told you not to worry.  Your problem is anxiety.   Yes, it could be different this time.  A piano could also fall on you tomorrow.  Part of learning to deal with anxiety is accepting the tiny possibility that yeah something could be very wrong right now, but you can't live every moment of your life like that's so, or you'll never live.