Irregular periods and urgent smear.

Hi all, I feel like a little bit of a fraud posting here as I know i'm probably worrying over nothing, but my anxiety is very high at the moment and I didn't know where else to go.

I have always had irregular periods, from a very young age, I can't remember ever really being regular. A few years ago I was sent for tests, I was given an external ultrasound but no internal one, and they said they could find no cysts or fibroids. They didn't however do a smear as at the time I was under 25. For the last 3 years I have been tracking my periods via an app, my cycles could range anywhere from 11 days to 135 days, and my periods lasted anywhere from 3 to 26 days. 

As of November 2020 there was a sudden change in my periods, and I began bleeding far more regularly than normal. Yesterday I began bleeding for the 6th time in 3 months, with each bleed lasting anywhere from 4-18 days. I phoned my GP and she asked me a bunch of questions, including have I had my HPV vaccine (no) do I experience pain or bleeding after sex, back pain etc, the answer to all of which was yes. She told me that she would send a letter out to book a smear test, that I should book a blood test, and that she would refer me for a scan. I thanked her and hung up. 15 minutes later my phone rang again. It was the same dr again, she told me she had just checked in with her manager, and they wanted me to book a smear urgently, so I should not wait for the letter and instead phone the receptionist and tell them the dr has asked me to book an urgent smear test. I had the smear last week, she told me the results will take 6 weeks. I have the appointment for the blood tests tomorrow, and the ultrasound (both external and internal) on the 8th March.

I know that there's not really much I can do and it's just a case of waiting, and I know that the chances are it's something completely innocent and not cancer at all, but i'm so nervous I can't get it out of my head.

I'm sorry this turned out to be so long! I just needed to get it off my chest.

  • Hello Minniemouse1994

    I'm sorry to hear about the health worries that you have at the moment. I know that lots of our members will understand how difficult this period of waiting for tests and results can be and it's understandable that you're feeling anxious about things. 

    It can help to talk to someone and I wonder if you might find it useful to have a chat with one of our team of nurses. I'm sure they will be able to offer you some support and reassurance. If you'd like to talk to them they're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I hope you have some news soon. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator