Fed up of bleeding randomly (tmi)

[SufferingSilently9]

Hello again, sorry for the rant that's about to happen but here goes:

So I've just come back off a lovely week long holiday. Unfortunately, on Wednesday, I began spotting which I haven't done for quite a while and it took me by surprise.

I am taking the contraceptive pill back to back (currently on Microgynon 30 after brevinor, cilest and a few others were giving me migraines, headaches and other symptoms which didn't agree anymore with my body) to reduce pain and severe periods and have done since around July last year after my gynae palmed me off with an inconclusive lap and told me to just take the pill back to back to stop my cycle.

Usually I'm fine on holidays and the heat and activity helps with the pain and helps me forget about my issues but on Tuesday I had really bad cramps whilst a waterpark and although I was trying to enjoy myself it started to get on my nerves. After some food I felt okay so thought it was just hunger pains which I've had if I haven't eaten enough sometimes but then on Wednesday, I tried to be intimate with my boyfriend as we had a chill day and we discovered I was spotting for the first time in a long time. I take pads everywhere with me just in case so I was okay in that aspect but it really annoys me that even when I'm taking my pill back to back I'm getting pain and bleeding, especially when it's out of the blue and not even in line with my 'old cycle' etc.

Now that I'm home, I can take my amitriptyline which was prescribed by my pain clinic doctor but I'm still here with a hot water bottle feeling awful and don't know why I'm still spotting. With no diagnoses from anyone, I guess I'm just fed up of this 'trial-and-error' issue I seem to have.

If you got this far, thanks for reading. I always appreciate the support this community has provided throughout xxx

[Elm98]

I can completely understand how you feel I also have random spotting whilst on the contraceptive pill. I’ve found that for myself and it is trial and error I can do three months back to back before I start spotting, any longer than that and every time I try to be intimate with my partner or as much as orgasm I’m going to start spotting. It’s annoying and it’s just trying to find the right balance for you. Bugging your doctor is also worth a shot as I didn’t get anywhere without nagging at a lot of medical professionals and that was just to get the diagnosis. If you’re taking it back to back constantly though chances are really high that you’ll have breakthrough bleeding and spotting.

Gederal was the best contraceptive pill I’ve used for my endometriosis.

I understand how you feel so I am sending lots of hugs and positivity your way. Xxxx

[Moonglo in reply to Elm98]

I second this. I tri-cycled (as opposed to riding a trike) because I’d get breakthrough bleeding. So you still get a period but once every 3 months, and you control (more or less) when to expect it. Xx

[SufferingSilently9 in reply to Elm98]

I was doing pretty well, having not spotted for the past 9 months until now so it took me by surprise really. Thank you for the support, I'll look into gederal xx

[hm89]

I tried all these pills and suffered terribly from all sorts of side effects. I also think these are ‘old’ pills and there’s a load of new brands which have lower doses but are more effective. I took norynl 1 (sp) which has norethisterone in it which minimises cramps and this completely eliminated my spotting but did break me out so now I’m on mercilon with no spotting so far.

Also, have you been checked for cervical erosion? That was responsible for some of my bleeding episodes and can happen if you’re on the pill for a very long time.

[SufferingSilently9 in reply to hm89]

I've never had any internal vaginal/cervical examinations as my gp thinks I'm too young to have anything wrong (I'm 21 and have been on the pill since 16) but I'm due an internal examination in November with my pain clinic doctor.

Thank you for the pill suggestions, I will look into these xx

[CArolGrace in reply to hm89]

I second this - I had and ectropian / cervical erosion also that was causing a lot of spotting and bleeding after sex - and pain to I had three procedures with the final one being successful having cyro cautery- I am about to have further investigation for endo but I wonder is there a link or more likely outcome of ectropian if you have endo … as ur gp to do a cervical exam and if they are not knowledgeable in this area asked to be referred to have colcoscopy to rule this out.

If can help to stop this and will allow you to not have these little bleeding surprises

Good luck !!

[SufferingSilently9 in reply to CArolGrace]

I have since had a colposcopy due to ectropion but nothing much changed and they just suggested a stopper device to reduce irritation during sex. I still get spotting and sex is impossible now as its so painful. I was diagnosed formally with endometriosis last August but they couldnt explain the spotting etc especially as I am on the pill back to back for 3 months, take 3 days off, then back to back again yet I spot at least fortnightly. The only other thing they have said they can suggest for me is the coil which I refused. I have been told to wait to see how my smear turns out when I can have one (end of this year as I'll be turning 25 in Feb 2023) but other than that, they just tell me to basically be careful I'm not irritating myself when I try anything.

[CArolGrace in reply to SufferingSilently9]

If u believe it is the ectropian, and it sounds like it to me - I had just the same as you , you need to go back and ask the gp to re refer you for cryo caurtery as that’s the gold standard of treatment for ectropian, that is nuts that they suggested anything other than the cautery for treatment of this- and the coil and pill are not known long term treatments and didn’t work for me !!! Please push for a re referral with the aim of getting cauterising done to treat it cause for years nothing worked for me other than this please push for more answers !!

[SufferingSilently9 in reply to CArolGrace]

They've refused to cauterise it because of my age and say it will solve itself, they've taken a punch biopsy of it to check but say its not worth cauterising at this time.

[CArolGrace in reply to SufferingSilently9]

If it’s causing you discomfort and stress due to not being able to be intimate with your partner this is not ok ! That has a long term effect , I would ask the gp for you to be re refered to another hospital - u have a legal right to a second opinion on the nhs. It’s a horrible thing to feel not knowing if you will bleed - always checking after - it’s draining not to mention the bleeding causing fatigue and tiredness

[SufferingSilently9 in reply to CArolGrace]

Unfortunately, I believe there's only 1 colposcopy clinic in my health board currently. The NHS round me are really hard to get appointments for - e.g for my endometriosis, I've had to pay privately for all my treatment etc

[CArolGrace in reply to SufferingSilently9]

I’m sorry to hear that I hope you keep persisting with your gp so u can get the treatment you need