Resolved question:
Hi,
I begun my period on the 9th of December 2013 and I had sex on my 4th day while I was still bleeding. I do not have sex very often, and we used a condom effectively. I finished my period normally, then a few days after finishing while masturbating I begun to bleed. This isn't unusual for me, as it is suspected I have endometriosis (very painful periods, almost debilitating pain, pain during masturbation and bleeding for a few days afterwards, fatigue). It's has been suspected i've had this for the past year even prior to me being sexually active, I am 17, however i've had no invasive procedures done to confirm it as I am still young. I am on no contraceptive pills either despite the doctor suggesting birth control to treat to endometriosis. I disregarded this bleeding and thought it would go away after a couple of days as it usually does, however it lasted for about a week, with standard period cramps sometimes however not as severe as my usual ones. The bleeding began as very dark and mucky and then progressively became heavier and more red. It ended as my normal period would. Now it is the 14th of January and my period still has not come, however I am receiving the usual signs that it will come (starting at the same time my second bleeding of December did). I don't have any other unusual symptoms. Just as a side not, my period has a history of being late; my cycle used to be 6 weeks, and then reduced to about 5, however it is still not so consistent with timing. I also often experience ovulatory spotting and this repetition of bleeding also occured once about 3 years ago. I also had been suffering from chronic BV during this period, however I was recently prescribed flagyl and the infection went away. I am just concerned as to why this happened, so any insight would be helpful.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
OBGYN
Hello,
Thanks for writing to DoctorSpring.com with your health concern.
As you have rightly surmised, most of your symptoms do tally with those of Endometriosis.
Now, without a laparoscopy, it is difficult to conclusively say this, unless something shows up in a pelvic ultrasound scan, which is not invasive, and often reveals stigmata of endometriosis. So why not get that done, by the way ?
Regarding the unusual bleeding that happened in the second week of December, I suspect that it is due to endometriosis indeed.
Endometriosis is characterized by irregular cycles too, and off and on spotting.
So the erratic period ( bleeding ) could have been due to endometriosis, and you anyways have a history of irregular cycles, so it does fit in. It could have been precipitated by the infection you said you have.If the pattern does not recur do not worry much.
If it does, then a polyp, or cervical erosion should be ruled out.
Taking hormonal medication for short term symptom control for your endometriosis is a good option, but it is your call.
Have a gynaecological evaluation if you have not had it in the past six months. An internal exam - per vaginum and per speculum and a pelvic ultrasound scan.
Stress, anxiety, hypothyroidism, weight gain, late nights, erratic diet and sleep, ingestion of medications that affect the hormonal axis - these are just some reasons that might cause irregular bleeding. Make sure they are ruled out too.
All the best. Please feel free to discuss further.