[KLM1107]

I'm 35, have two kids, 4.5 and 19 months. Since my youngest has been born I've had all kinds of trouble with my hormones and cycle. I start spotting around day 17 of my cycle and continue spotting/bleeding until I actually get my period around day 28. The spotting is usually brown and a bit clotty. During this time, I will also have bright red blood (vaginal) whenever I have a bowel movement. I've been do the doctor a few times seeking answers, she did a pap which came back normal, a thyroid test which also came back normal and an ultra sound which showed a complex cyst on my left ovary, which she said they will watch but would not be the cause of this bleeding. I can't help but feel like this is not normal and something is wrong but I don't feel like my doctor is taking it very seriously. She is strongly pushing me to have an IUD put in which I don't want. We are done having kids and are using condoms until my husband gets up the nerve to get snipped. I can not go on the pill because I have migraines. I'm not sure what else to do. Any advice? I do not want to be bleeding for 2.5 weeks per month!

[jns]

I would get a referral to a specialist, if it is possible. Is you doctor a general practitioner or is she a specialist? If so, what specialty?

[atskitty2]

I'm not meaning for this to insult you, but I have to ask. Are you sure the blood during a BM is vaginal? And how are you sure?

[KLM1107]

The doctor is an OBGYN, she is new to me since the OB that delivered both of my kids changed practices. I don't know her well and don't have the relationship with her that I did with my old OB. Yes, I am 100% positive it is vaginal bleeding with bowel movement, it's pretty easy to tell where the blood is coming from (wipe the back, no blood, wipe the front, bright red). That usually happens after I've already been spotting brown then when I have BM it turns bright red and increases quantity.

[Claret]

Agree with the others, first make certain that the blood is coming from the vagina. There are times when the uterus has fibroids which will bleed if they become detached. If you are pushing and straining when having a BM you may be causing stress on these which will bleed. There are also cases (my daughter for one) that had fibroids which were outside the uterus and had actually attached to the bowel causing bleeding. You need to get this thoroughly checked out to determine the cause. I'd also encourage your husband to have his "snip" done sooner rather than later as we all know condoms aren't fool proof.

[jns]

Have you had a D & C done in the past or several (possibility of adhesions)? Maybe a spontaneous abortion that you did not recognize as such (possibility of placental material being left in the uterus)? Other uterine problems? I'm wondering if there is a problem with the lining of your uterus, Does the new QB/GYN have access to the records of the old one? Is it possible to change to a different OB/GYN?

[amy40]

complex cyst on my left ovary, which she said they will watch but would not be the cause of this bleeding.

welcome to the forum!

after searching, starting period at day 17, found an article that mentions hormone balance disruption that can be caused by different things including ovarian cysts, which you mentioned that you have

apparently the hormones that regulate the cycle is know as the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis.
ovarian cysts is one of the things that can disrupt the HPO

did she mention removing the cyst at all?
if your OB/GYN is not adequately addressing your concerns, it may be time for a change of Dr.