Menopuase

I have been bleeding pretty much non-stop for 4 yrs. I was having gushing problems in the first yr. I donot have medical insurance and so have not been to a doctor. I also do not like doctors much. I had surgery to remove endrometrial tissue 4 1/2 yrs ago the tissue was outside the uterus. I also have fibroids and cysts on my overies.I am 40 and have been having hot flashes and night sweats and mood swings for about 4-5 yrs. Since this is a long term problem should I be more worried or less?

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

Doctors, like government, is a necessary "evil" to paraphrase Thomas Jefferson.    If you have had a problem for over 4 years, you should see a doctor now and find out the cause. One simple reason could be that your bleeding has caused anemia and also caused your iron levels to be low. That can be checked and is treated by taking iron three times daily and a multivitamin for several months at least. However, it is also important to check the lining of the uterus to be sure there are no abnormalities such as abnormal tissue or a polyp. That is checked by an office test called an endometrial biopsy. The time to worry more or less is after you find out the cause of the problem. The time to act is now.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD