A. Perimenopause is the window of about 10 years that
leadsLead poisoning up to menopause. It usually starts in the early forties and is a time of reduced
estrogenHormone replacement therapy flow. Usually
womenWomen's way in perimenopause have difficulty sleeping, heart
palpitationsHeart palpitations, mood swings and sometimes vaginal dryness and irregular periods. It can start in the late 30’s as well and does that for a small portion of women.
Get a blood test for FSH. If that is elevated it suggests that you are in perimenopause. But there are many other causes of irregular periods and bleeding with intercourse. Have a good pelvic exam and be sure there are no polyps or other growths or tears in the vagina or cervix that are hit by your husband’s penis during intercourse and caused to bleed.
Extreme vaginal dryness can also cause bleeding during intercourse as can a number of other things. Irregular periods can be caused by a long list of things, the commonest of which are weight changes, exercise changes, dietary changes and stress.
It sounds like you need more of a workup of the causes of abnormal bleeding and a thorough pelvic exam. If your doctor doesn’t feel there is more to be done, get a second opinion for a reproductive endocrinologist who should be able to get to the bottom of your difficulty.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD