Abnormal Bleeding

I am a 38 year old woman with polycystic ovarian disease and low tyroid.  My period late last summer was almost 6 weeks long- off and on every few days - seemed to start again after sex but that could be a coincidence.  They straightend out and I didn't think anything of it since I've always had heavy periods and irregular cycles (The periods lightened up after I had my daughter in 2000).  
My period this may was late about 2 weeks and started out light and then grew heavy.  I've been bleeding except for a few days ever since, some lighter than others with pretty good size clots.  My doctor has also told me I have irritable bowel disease but no tests were ever done.  
I have been off my thyroid and blood pressure medications for a few months but have done that before and have not had this problem.
I'm a single mom without insurance so sometimes I have to do without to make sure my daughter is taken care of.  I realize I should stay on my med's I'm not just blowing them off.
I've read the symptoms of ovarian cancer on this site and I am freaked out at this point.   I have just about all of them.  I did make an appointment with my doctor for tomorrow but am so petrified at this point I can barely think.

What should I ask my doctor to look for? What tests should he do?  Should he refer me to a specialist? does this sound like cancer?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There
I think you have answered your own question.It is extremely important to stay on thyroid medication. That may be the reason for your irregular bleeding.
Getting a check up is just the right thing to do
best wishes

[Lori1971]

sorry guys thought I was posting this to dr posts...

[Lori1971]

Thank you for your reply.  My doctor didn't examine me but put me on progesterone for 10 days.  The bleeding did stop-  for the first few days I would spot a few hours before I was due to take the next pill but then even that stopped.  I've now been off  the pills for a few days and my period has come back.  More cramping than normal but it is lighter than normal.  He referred me to a gynecologist and I have an appointment tomorrow.  

[Lori1971]

My bloodwork came back and my thyroid levels are fine - so are my blood counts, not anemic, sugar good.  Saw the gyn today and he did an exam and ultrasound with an internal wand.  Said my ovaries looked ok but noted on the sonogram endometrium thickness and wants me to have a d & c next tuesday.  He gave me a prescription for the horrible pains that started last night - said I had a lot of clots my body is trying to pass.    I've never heard of this although he says it's common.   Wants to have the pathologyst look at the tissue they clear and be able to feel around?  Is this a normal course of action?  What exactly is he looking for?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi Lori,
your doctor is being careful and I agree with the plan.  Irregular bleeding at age 38 is usually due to hormone imbalance. But it is important to rule out a structural problem such as a fibroid (a benign muscle tumor in the wall of the uterus) or a benign polyp or even a precancerous growth (hyperplasia). Cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer) is rare at your age but not impossible. While the average age for endometrial cancer is about 55, 25 percent of women with endometrial cancer cancer are premenopausal. 5 percent are under age 40. So unexplained abnormal bleeding should be checked out with a biopsy in the office or a D&C (dilation and curettage)
best wishes