Question Hello Dr.
I have a question that I have checked with my OB/GYN but wanted to ask for another opinion.
I'm a 42 year old female. I live a very healthy lifestyle and am very fit.
I have taken OrthoNovum 1/35 pill for the past 15 years (maybe more?#
I take the pill Continuously so I have not had a period for years.
I have never been pregnant.
I do have a history of HPV and had a LEEP earlier this year to remove, and I also had a LEEP about 7 years ago. Up until this last time, between the 2 procedures I have had normal Paps.
My question is:
Within the past year, I have experienced in frequent but occasional abnormal bleeding.
Remember I never get periods bc I take the pill continuously, but when it does happen it feels like how a period used to feel.
I even sometimes feel like I see the same bloody discharge that I used to get with periods #not a lot of discharge but like how I remember with period#.
It happened probably 3-4 times over the past year and a half and alot of times there could be several months between the incidents. Sometimes it lasts a day, sometimes a few days.
My OB/GYN Dr says it is nothing to worry about, and that after all the years of taking the pill continuously your uterus lining can react bc of all the buildup over the years and bleed.
Also bc I am 42 years old too, maybe that has something to do with it.
I feel fine, and just wear a tampon when this happens and that it.
Both my OB/GYN and my Primary Care Dr say that if it were cancer it would bleed more frequently and not go 4-6 mos without bleeding #which has happened.)
It has happened more frequently but not usually.
Also I just had a Repeat Pap as my 6 mos follow up from my LEEP earlier this year. Have not gotten results yet.
I would love to get an opinion.
Should I listen to my Drs?
Or push for more tests?
Thanks
Tamara
Answer Hi Tamara,
I would listen to your doctors. Most women taking the pill continuously will bleed occasionally. You were lucky to go years without a period. Now, it may be because of your age or something else has changed, so you're doing what most women would have been doing all along. As long as your exam an Pap are normal, I would not be worried. Cancer of the lining of the uterus pretty much doesn't happen as long as you're on the pill, and any other cancer could be picked up on exam or Pap. Since you've had the recent LEEP, I'd just be sure your recent Pap smear is normal.
