menopause or pregnant

[shewolfe]

"I am at the age of when I menopause starts". My last normal period was June 24th. August 2nd I started to bleed and I just thought I got my period late. Less than 24 hrs it had stopped but I began to spot pink only when I wiped and then it turned brown. After about a week there was nothing I just went about my daily life until one day I felt very weak; slightly dizzy; I never felt that way before I was afraid I was going to pass out and I was alone. Concerned and worry I drove myself to the emergency room. I expected that I might be pregnant but I was told I was anemic and that is why I felt week and dizzy. I have fibroids and have had heavy periods and I started to bleed again while I was there. I thought for sure that was my regular period starting. Anyway I bled on and off throughout the month of August, most of September and the first couple of weeks in October. I did a lot of bleeding and passing clots with it running out of me like water. I notice the bleeding had a fowl odor; one time I started bleeding it smelled like iron and I wasn't taking any iron just regular vitimans. The wierd thing is I still believe I am pregnant. I have had two pregnancies the first I carried 20 weeks and lost it. Seven years later I conceived and carried my son to full term. Except for the bleeding I have had the same symptoms when I was pregnant...no morning sickness with either pregnancy just a bigger appetite. My stomach has grown so much that I cant' fit into my jeans that I was wearing a few months ago. I can only wear clothing with elastic If I want to be comfortable. I think the doctors won't test me for pregnancy because I am at the age of menopause. I am too ashame to admit to the doctors, "I might be pregnant" because of my age. I found out it is a possibility if I wasn't using any birth control I could get pregnant. All of this has taken a great toll on me menatally-I don't have insurance nor a family doctor. Has anyone ever experienced any of this. When urine and blood is drawn is it always tested for hcg level? Thank you

[miraculous]

Good lord I can't believe if you suspect you are pregnant why you haven't done a home preg test yet.  I agree with super-sally888 that it would be due to menopause or some other underlying cause so you must go and see a doctor any irregular bleeding should always be investigated.
Good luck

[Super_sally888]

Yes,

Please see dr regardless.  If you are not pregnant, there are other reasons for bleeding like this -  don't want to mention, but things like uterine and ovarian cancer can also be possible.  It is far better that you find out and address whatever the cause is (pregnancy, menopause, other) earlier than later.  They need to do an ultrasound to make sure that there are no growths or anything causing the bleeding.  They also need to do a PAP.

Best regards

let us know how you go

[TreeFrog7]

Hi shewolfe,

First of all, don't be ashamed. Always be proud of your body ... whatever it's up to!  ;-)

I agree with the others - do a home pregnancy test, and/or go back to the ER and show them how big you're getting. Lots of 51-year-olds have gotten pregnant. It's relatively rare, but far from impossible.

Regarding your question about hcg testing, the answer is no, blood and urine are not always tested for hcg level - only if pregnancy is suspected.

Let us know what you find out!

Best wishes,
~Wendy

[Preciouspg]

Yes, pregnancy is a possibility and taking a test is a good starting point.  Don't feel scared to speak with a doctor because this is your body that is speaking to you that something is going on and you need answers to feel better.  I would also recommend an ultra sound and hormone testing because pregnant or not these tests would definately give you some answers.  GOD BLESS.

[adgal]

Take a home pregnancy test to know for certain.  I will say it does sound more like irregular cycles, but I am certainly not a Dr.  Don't be ashamed, see your Dr.  Good luck.

[AliceW]

Hi - Maybe you could try the ER again? Please, please don't feel ashamed to tell the doctors it could be a pregnancy--this sometimes happens (my mother's mother is an example), and, besides you probably won't ever see those ER doctors again, so tell them anything!

I'm sorry that the ER is your only option, but take advantage of them if you can. Maybe you could even laugh it off, if that makes you feel more comfortable--tell them you wouldn't even ask this, but "some women in your family" got pregnant in their 40s and early 50s. Doesn't matter whether that's true, but maybe it will make them take you more seriously and you won't have to feel odd about asking. Then, while you're there, they could do whatever other tests to check out the bleeding.

I really hope you can figure out what's going on. And, please give us an update when you can.

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

Best thing I could recommend at this stage would be that you buy a home pregnancy test and test at home.  This is cheap and very easy.

It is possible that you are pregnant.  It is not uncommon for women to have a 'change of life' baby.  If you are pregnant it will be important to get some prenatal care for you and the baby.  If you are not pregnant, you should be checked out for this bleeding.

Let us know the results of your testing.  Let us know how you go.