11th day of Bloody Mucus
Question
I have been charting for seven months and have been married for one. About five or six out of the seven I have had what appears to be breakthrough bleeding. It is bloody mucus that starts about a week to ten days after my period and before my thermal shift. Typically it lasts about five to eight days and is very light/tacky and is followed by a three to five day patch of clear, stretchy mucus, which is followed by a thermal shift. My average cycle is about 34-37 days. But, this month, I am on my 11th day of bleeding and it seems to be getting heavier. It appears maybe I have reached a patch of more fertile mucus but with so much blood it is hard to tell. My understanding is that breakthrough bleeding is rare for someone my age of 24 years but that it occurs during long cycles, which I always have. This month has been very discouraging has I have had two episodes where my temp. has risen as if I were having a thermal shift and then dropped back down significantly on the third temp. I know we have to treat this as a fertile time to avoid pregnancy but we have had intercourse once in over twenty days because of this. There just appears to be no help and no end in sight to the bleeding. I’ve never been angry with God in  my life despite some struggles, and although I continue to pray about this I’m also angry that I have no control over my body, yet we want to be committed, healthy and faithful to God by using NFP. Sorry, I just have to vent. Would a monitor help me? Where would I get one? Can I do anything about the bleeding? Thank you for your response.
Answer
Last Updated: June 17, 2013
Thank you for sharing your beautifully honest frustration. Sometimes God can give unusual gifts, that don’t seem to make sense at first, but are always for our ultimate good.
The pattern of bleeding and mucus you describe needs to be evaluated by a physician. As you have had an unusual temperature pattern along with the bleeding, my first thought is that this a low grade infection. Although bleeding like this has often been treated with the pill, which covers up the problem, in women using NFP, we have found that often they will have positive cultures, and the unusual bleeding clears up after a course of antibiotics. Another possibility, especially in view of your history of long menses, is polycystic ovarian disease(PCO). PCO can have abnormal bleeding from an unusual build up of the endometrium called endometrial hyperplasia, which can be a risk for endometrial cancer. If the bleeding continues after evaluation and treatment for infection, your doctor should consider further diagnostic evaluation, such as an ultrasound or endometrial biopsy.
Your frustration over not being able to show your husband love through intercourse is going to be the motivation to pursue prompt medical care that can ultimately lead to a healthier, longer life with your husband. If you were not using NFP, the problem could easily be masked with the pill, and if you were not frustrated, it might be easy to ignore.
God will bless you for your faithfulness, even in difficult times.
Dr. Keenan
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