abnormal bleeding 52 yo

[DianeRT]

Hello everybody,
I'm 52 yo, no children, not getting any contraceptive. I'm about at mid-cycle and having odorless bright red spotting with some little clots and a little pain at right in the abdomen. I've had the same problem, but much lighter, for a couple days past months. Now it's the third day of bleeding and today it seems worsening. What could it mean? Is something related to the menopause that's coming? Past month my period have been later than usual... Or is something serious? I'm so scared!
I've had mid-cycle bleeding for a few years in my twenties but my family doctor didn't want me to see a specialist, he told me not to worry because it was ovulatory spotting. I remeber one time it lasted 9 days!
The gyn removed me in her office a cervical benign polyp in 2008.
My life is very stressing in these times (I have to take care of my dad who has 2 cancers).
I thank for your attention and send you all my best greetings and wishes.

[DianeRT]

Hi specialmom and thanks for your kind words and advice! Checking better the dates, the bleeding started 18 days after the previous cycle and now it's finishing. So, I think this time I've had  my periods earlier than usual (18 instead of 23-24 days). I hope this has been caused by stress, tiredness and the approaching of menopause. Let's wait and see what happens. Anyway, you're right, I'd better to schedule an appointment with an ob/gyn... I've been lazy about this, and this is not wise, but you know, I'm so tired of doctors and hospitals and in these times, my priority has always been my dad...
Thank you again and all the best, D.

[specialmom]

Welcome to the forum!  First, what a big job taking care of your dad.  My heart goes out to you as that is indeed very stressful.  Hopefully you also get breaks as caregivers do not that to recharge their batteries.  So, you know----  I definitely would circle back around and see your ob/gyn. As we near menopause, all sorts of things do seem odd about our cycle.  And there are different patterns.  I'm all over the place.  Some cycles I have super heavy periods like crazy heavy but short, other cycles it is lighter and longer.  I'm usually still regular with the interval but occasionally I get a surprise visitor a week early.  I've also had a harmless, simple ovarian cyst before.  This generally causes heavy cramping and excess bleeding when it passes but it can make you spot and make you have odd cycle things as well before it passes.  Hormone imbalances can also cause us to spot mid cycle such as too much progesterone.  Fibroids can as well.  so, overall, it is hard to say what is going on but abnormal  bleeding is one of the things they say to always get checked out by your doctor.  Please do this and let us know what they say!