Mid-cycle bleeding!

[fuzlo]

Hey

Sorry if this is a long post. In need of some help and advice! I've been diagnosed with PCOS for 3 years or so and I struggle with most symptoms but my longest running symptom is irregular periods. I have been tracking my periods since November and they were almost monthly which was great and a first for me. However after some mid-cycle bleeding in May and severe, unbearable abdominal pain that I'd never experienced ever before when coming on my period in June/July, followed by constant twinges on one side, I was concerned. I kept an eye on things and saw a doctor weeks later who suspected endometriosis. She gave me a physical examination and had me take a pregnancy test and chlamydia test to rule everything out, followed by a blood test. (I've not heard back from chlamydia test I assume is fine as she only did this to rule it out.) The pregnancy test immediately showed negative but turned to positive so my doctor was confused and wanted me to take a home test a couple of days later in fear that it could be an ectopic pregnancy. I took 2 tests both of which were negative, however I was still experiencing twinging pains on one side. I saw a doctor who took my bloods for pregnancy, thyroid, b12 and something else all of which I've not heard back from so I assume is okay. Since then I've been experiencing mid-cycle bleeding and twinges with every period. I use an app called "My Flo" to track my periods and symptoms, and the mid-cycle bleeding isn't following much pattern. The last one was light, lasted a day and was during the luteal stage a few days before my period. It's currently happening during the ovulatory stage (My Flo has helped me work out my cycle is every 40 days). I'm also experiencing twinges on one side again. Could this just be a part of PCOS? Or maybe ovulation? I don't think I have endo as I don't have severe pain, only on the one occasion that I mentioned.

I eat a balanced healthy vegan diet, I've started running and practicing yoga again, I'm not on the pill or any medication. Should I see a doctor again for the same thing?

Thank you! I'm new to this chat forum thingy!

[Hols969]

There is a link between PCOS and endo so could well be that and is worth getting it checked.

Is life more stressful or gained weight - little things can trigger a change in cycle. Are you up to date on your smears etc?

[fuzlo in reply to Hols969]

Ah, I have gained some weight in the last year and I have had quite a stressful year as well. I'm trying to lose it now! I'm not overweight but I'm near and it's all around my middle. Also I'm 22 so haven't had any smear tests, only external and internal scans and a physical exam

[Hols969 in reply to fuzlo]

I would ask for a smear because your periods are irregular. Weight gain makes pcos symptoms much worse so that and the stress probably means they are creeping. You have it under control tho Generally low GI diet and cut out all white carbs as they are the route of all evil in my opinion!!

[fuzlo in reply to Hols969]

Thank you for your advice, I will try to get a doctors appointment tomorrow! 😊 And thank you, I try to keep healthy with PCOS in mind. For the past year my periods have been monthly-ish which is great. I didn't have one in April though and then had 2 in May followed by the really painful period in June, it's just been a bit different since around this time really. But stress and weight gain coincides with this and makes a lot of sense!

[fuzlo in reply to Hols969]

Hi, I've just got back from my doctors appointment. She said mid-cycle bleeding and pain with it is normal and expected for women with PCOS and suggested I go on the pill or try the coil to alleviate pain and regulate periods. I've been there done that with the pill over the years and it's not for me for a few reasons. As with the coil, she said I wouldn't have periods after a while (similar to some contraceptive pills) and this would be a backward step for me because I've finally managed to achieve a kind of regular natural cycle for the first time. The pain I have is not unbearable it's more of a dull sharpish niggling pain on one side/ovary. So, I guess, just carry on and accept this as one more PCOS related inconvenience? I think it might likely be ovulation pain and ovulation bleeding (mittelschmerz) that I'm having in between my periods. Which, although I'm not TTC, hopefully indicates that I'm ovulating normally? I'm still unsure. Could it be cysts?

[Hols969 in reply to fuzlo]

Pain is not a symptom of pcos, I wish GP's would just refer you to an endocrinologist rather than spouting what they think is true. I personally would ask to be referred. Pain is a symptom of endometriosis and it isn't uncommon to have both conditions. Thing is a regular cycle is good but doesnt mean you are ovulating (so when you try for a baby remember that so you dont get fobbed off) I had regular ish cycles but rarely ovulated!

[fuzlo in reply to Hols969]

That's why I think it might be mittershmerz/ovulation pain and ovulation bleeding as opposed to my PCOS. I've read up on it and it sounds like what I'm having. Although the pain usually lasts up to 48 hours and mines been slightly longer but that could just be due to PCOS. I think I'll still investigate further though. I think she assumed I was having cramping but it's more of a one sided sharp niggling which I did explain. I've had it come and go throughout cycles since June/July and when I had an internal exam all was normal and my bloods were satisfactory. But yeah I'm not sure really. Every single time I've gone to the GP with PCOS/lady problems they've straight up suggested the pill and nothing else. Almost everything I know about PCOS and how to treat it has been from researching online by myself! I can't believe how little they know about it considering it's supposedly so common. I may look into endometriosis, but I don't experience pain in the ways associated with the condition so I'm not sure x