Personal female question

[loveaz]

Okay, don't read this if you do not like female bodily functions, but I am wondering if any other women my age (41) ever experience, mostly after a bumpy hard ride, bloody discharge? It is usually very short, maybe one bathroom trip per ride, and then does not occur again - until the next hard ride.

I've been riding for about 3 years and have never had this experience except over the last 6 months or so. I know menopause is right around the corner, and the amount of blood is not alarming (not compared to my regular cycles, geez!), but I was just curious if any other women experienced this.

[Biciclista]

I'd go to the doctor..

[loveaz]

Probably should, even though I'm not a doctor person at all - mostly because I'm an extremely healthy person - but the past 4 months my "flow" has increased so much, I use a Super Plus every 45-60 minutes for 48-50 hours. Really sucks when I have a race planned - luckily my next two races fall right before and after Barn Burner in Flagstaff this Saturday and then Wahine Warrior (first all womens bike race in AZ, cool!).

Anyone else have a flow that heavy? Please tell me yes!

[ny biker]

Definitely see a doctor. It's quite possible that something can be done about that heavy flow. And if not, you'll want to make sure you're not anemic.

[stella2]

I'm new to biking, but not to menopausal symptoms. A very heavy flow can be a symptom of peri-menopause (i.e. the time when things are changing leading up to the pause in menopause). I was surprised to learn from my amazingly well informed about female hormones, male, GP, that heavy flow results from a reduced level of oestrogen. I would never have thought that, but it's true. I am 51, very perimenopausal and since being put on the right HRT for me, my previously nightmareish heavy flow which has steadily worsened over the past several years, has reduced.

I agree with the other girls about the blood after a ride. Don't panic, but get it checked out.

[Crankin]

Are you sure of the "source" of the blood? I have had this issue a couple of times after a hard ride, but it was definitely not vaginal bleeding, after I "investigated" a little more seriously the second time it happened. It scared me to death, since it happened well after I was in menopause...
Get it checked, but it could be something totally simple. And yea, I had all of those disgusting peri-menopause symptoms from about age 38 to 48, when finally, my period stopped. I was thrilled.

[loveaz]

Thanks for all the info - good to know about the oestregen, but I definetely don't want to "get" on anything, because aside from these items my life is sweet - I don't have mood swings, tiny tiny hot flashes occasionally - I really feel dialed in except, like i said, for these issues.

Pretty sure of the source of the blood, but it is while I urinate - however it seems to be mixed in with a thick clear discharge (gel like) so I don't think it is coming in the urine.

No worries - I'm not one to get over worked, but since he happened this last Sunday it was on my mind to post in our "ladies" forum.

I'll make an appointment - probably over due anyways Thanks ladies

[Irulan]

I am perimenopausal ( 49 and still having monthly flow) I have heavy spot/flow some after rides sometimes. I have a few fibroids, and have been warned by my GP that I will have spotting sometime. I carry tampax everywhere. I see it as a nuisance more than anything else. Me? If you get your regular exam I wouldn't worry about it, it is part of mother natures program.

Heavy monthly flow is part of the perimenopause thing. We call them "Freddy Kruger Days" when it's so bad I'd just assume not leave the house. The things they like to do about heavy flow include hysterectomy and uterine ablation.

Reducing estrogen is the whole point of menopause. Just getting there is a big nuisance.

[ny biker]

For someone who's only 41, I think it's worth it to make sure it's nothing more than normal hormonal changes.

[Catrin]

Do you use any lubrication on your rides? I had a scare last month when I had bleeding for a couple of days after a ride - all of that was removed two years ago... In the end it was from not using lube - tissue had been torn... No pain but scary for a bit!

[KnottedYet]

Please go to the doctor.

Want me to scare you into it?

We'd hate to hear that you had a uterine tumor whose capillary beds tore on bumpy rides and caused short-term bleeding.

Yeah, it may be perimenopause. But get it checked out, please.

[lisathew8lifter]

Do you use any lubrication on your rides? I had a scare last month when I had bleeding for a couple of days after a ride - all of that was removed two years ago... In the end it was from not using lube - tissue had been torn... No pain but scary for a bit!

hey there,
that just happened to me last night after my ride. can i ask what you use? is it chamois butter or? i hate when that happens. mostly long road rides or intense off road rides..not fun.

[Catrin]

hey there,
that just happened to me last night after my ride. can i ask what you use? is it chamois butter or? i hate when that happens. mostly long road rides or intense off road rides..not fun.

Right I am using That Butt Stuff available here. It has natural ingredients and no tingle. My order did ship pretty quickly. I tried Body Glide but wasn't happy with it. Chamois Butt'r did a good job - but it has parabens in it... That Butt Stuff states on their website that their product has:

* no petroleum
* no animal products
* no parabens or formaldehyde
* no phthalates

[loveaz]

Hi ladies - I don't use anything, and my shorts have minimal gel pad. I made a doctors appointment for November - hadn't had a female check-up in about 3 years because my doctor left, so I got a recommendation and made appointment.

Funny - I had my race Saturday (Barn Burner, Flagstaff, 108 miles, but had a team so did one lap of 27 miles), rode my A** off, still only to finish 2:57, but now my "area" is numb, lol! It's coming back a little bit each day, but what a weird unsensation.

Getting ready for first annual Wahine Warrior race here in AZ next week- women only!! SWEET!
Calling all females.....

[OakLeaf]

Whatever else you may or may not have going on, numbness is probably going to be a fit issue almost all of the time, and you're lucky the sensation is coming back - it might not, in the future. Do try to find a saddle that fits you better!