T O P I C R E V I E W
copper86
Member # 95710
posted 11-13-2012 06:45 PM
Hello, I'm so sorry to post another topic about my bleed, but I'm a bit worried about it. It started on Monday (when Tuesday or Thursday would be a usual start date); and I just had some brown-red spotting then. Today, I'm bleeding a bit more; but it's mostly brown-red blood with some red spotting. I know bleeds and periods can vary in colour, and that brown blood is old blood; but this still has me worried. My last bleed ended a little early last month, so maybe this old blood is just leftover from that, but I'm not sure if that's possible. I was just recently tested for STI's (not a full scan, but did get tested for infections that I know cause brown blood and spotting, like gonorrhea and chlamydia) and my results were negative. I know my bleed did just start, so maybe I should be a bit more patient with things; but I'm still nervous about this. I haven't had any kind of sexual contact sinc September 1st. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!
Onionpie
Member # 41699
posted 11-13-2012 07:43 PM
Hi copper. I think it really is too early on to know if this is an irregular bleed for you or not. And, as you said, slight variations in the duration/colour/flow of periods and withdrawal bleeds are totally normal. So right now it doesn't sound like anything to worry about, as your bleed has only just started. I think you also know that if it DOES turn out to be an irregular bleed for you, your best bet and first step would be to talk to your doctor since you've ruled out both STIs and pregnancy as possibilities here.
copper86
Member # 95710
posted 11-13-2012 07:49 PM
Hi Onionpie! Thank you for your response! The end of my bleed from last month (which started late and ended early) looked brown-red like this, so I'm wondering if this is really just leftover blood. The colour now seems to be mostly red-brown but some red spotting and before I had dark red blood oor bloody discharge. I might call my pharmacist if this doesn't change; but you're right that it's still too early for me to know anything right now. I only spotted off and on yesterday, so I haven't even had a full day of bleeding yet. Other than last month's bleed being shorter than usual, my last two periods since the manual sex incident on September 1st have been normal. Is it normal, though, to have an irregular bleed every once in a while without there being something wrong?
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 11-13-2012 08:05 PM
Hi Copper, Yes, it's absolutely normal. If it helps to have a personal perspective: I've been getting my period now for 20 years and I'd say my bleeding pattern varies, if not every month, then at least several times a year.
copper86
Member # 95710
posted 11-14-2012 11:24 AM
Thank you, Robin! I really appreciate a personal perspective. I changed my tampon earlier this morning and my flow was still light but the colour looked more on the redder side than it had been before (of course, now it's getting hard to tell red from brown!). I've only been bleeding for less than two days, so I guess I should give it more time.
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 11-14-2012 11:25 AM
..and really, you know, the colour of one's bleed really isn't an indication that anything is amiss.
copper86
Member # 95710
posted 11-23-2012 09:54 AM
Thank you so much, Robin! I really appreciate your response! I ended up having a normal bleed after about 2 days or so; and that bleed ended up just being a little longer (perhaps because I was getting rid of old blood earlier).
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 11-23-2012 11:23 AM
You're welcome. Sounds like you're feeling better about that.