shedding uterus but not bleeding?

[ahhmunduh.livejournal.com]

this may sound like a stupid question but, i was just wondering if it was possible to shed your uterus but not bleed?

ive had issues with my period for years now (not getting it on time etc). ive been to the OBGYN a million times now about it and last time i went they told me to continue taking my BCP even if i dont get my period. They said something like, just because im not bleeding doesnt mean im not ovulating?! i dont really remember. but everytime around when im supposed to get my period, but dont, i get a thicker discharge. so i was just wondering if my uterus is possibly shedding, but im not bleeding.

dumb question probably, so go easy on me. haha
thanks!

Comments

[dindin.livejournal.com]

It could be that there's just really really little there to begin with. Since HBC thins the lining of your uterus, it's not unusual for women to get really light periods on it, or skip them occasionally. If your doctor isn't concerned, than I wouldn't be.

[kellyfofelly.livejournal.com]

Just from a biology/physiology point of view... I don't think it's possible to literally shed without blood, because the tissue is full of blood. The thickened discharge is just thickened mucous, not actual lining.

[majortom-thecat.livejournal.com]

I read in this article that we reabsorb about 67% of the endometrium when we menstruate. Most mammals reabsorb all of it and don't menstruate much at all. So I wonder if you could still be having your cycles but not building up enough of an endometrium to shed anything.

Here's the article:
http://www.kband.com/reports/000116.html#3b

[uozlulu.livejournal.com]

I think that if I were you, I'd got off birth control for a time just to see if your period will return to normal. By using BC, you might be covering up a problem that you won't really be able to see until you go off it. Also, it could be the type of BC you take, and just need another type.

Of course, if you're sexually active that means during the time you're not protected by BC, you'd have to abstain or get creative, but I think that because this is so unsual, going off it for a few months just to check and make sure your body is doing what it should be would be worth it even if everything turns out normal.

Also, after going off whatever you're on now and you find out you're normal, going to a different brand of BC might help the situation as well.

[ahhmunduh.livejournal.com]

i already suggested switching BC with my doctor. they said what im on in fine. also, i had stopped taking BC for awhile because i didnt get my period, sooo... how was i supposed to start a new pill pack. when i told them this, they informed me to continue taking the BCP as if i were getting a period, even though i wasnt. i had blood work done & my paps are normal, so my BC isnt the problem. i dont really know why i dont get a period often, even though i am attempting to regulate it.

[uozlulu.livejournal.com]

Did you get some hormone tests? It could be high testosterone or low estrogen that is your problem.

[kellyfofelly.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised your doctor isn't at least willing to see if its that particular pill you are on. Are you on a low hormone bc? There are so many different kinds of pills, it can take a few tries to get on the right one for you.

[muirichinnahali.livejournal.com]

it's probably a side effect of the pill. but if you're not bleeding, you're not menstruating/shedding your uterine lining. the thicker discharge is just that, thicker cervical/vaginal mucus. also, you don't ovulate if you're taking the pill correctly. but your dr is right about ovulation possibly occuring even without menstruating a few weeks later. the two do not always go hand in hand.

[kowaiyukidono.livejournal.com]

I've skipped periods that way before. Sometimes, no ill effects. Sometimes, it builds and the next period is heinous. I went six months without a period once and the doctor panicked and sat me down for a pregnancy test. (No, I just have a panic disorder.) No, there's not much to worry about. I know a few people that don't get periods/don't bleed more than spotting.

If you are really worried, tell your doctor that you don't care if it seems normal, you want some tests done and you want to see if this is a symptom of something else. Your doctor is probably either not hearing enough or hears what you're saying fairly frequently. This is not unusual. If you're really that worked up about not bleeding, maybe you need an alternate form of birth control just because this will cause undue stress. (If this is really going to cause undue stress. If you think you can adjust, don't get too pushy at your doctor and just ask for more dialog on the topic. After all, this is your body, you have the right to know what's going on inside it.)

Doctors are not used to giving their patients much information. If your doctor says "it's fine" and won't follow with more, ask them directly when it is not fine. Tell them you want to know where the line is, so you can watch out for it.

Then again, some doctors can be idiots. I had one that didn't take me off a depression-treating medication that was making me hallucinate because I coped alright with hallucinations. *Shrug.* So this is kinda' where it becomes a judgment call.

Hope this helps somehow. Kinda' got rambly.