Post menopausal bleed

[NicciK]

I am new here. I am 54 and been period free for about 3 years. Three weeks ago I had cramps and very light bleeding for 2 days. I mentioned it to my gp yesterday and I am now booked in for tests as she said it could be a sign of cancer. I suffer from anxiety and this has sent my anxiety through the roof. I am terrified. 😔

[dawncove]

Hi, I’ve had a similar experience in the last two weeks. I’m 51 and after 18 months period free I started to bleed and my GP referred me on the fast track system too. I bled for 8 days sometimes heavy with clots and had period pains. My appointment was on Tuesday and I had an internal scan and a hysteroscopy. The scan showed a thickening in the lining of my womb and this just sent me into melt down! I had already convinced myself I had cancer and this is another sign.

I went straight into my hysteroscopy and the consultant was great, I told her my fears and she was really compassionate.

My hysteroscopy showed that there was nothing wrong other than a couple of small fibroids which I knew about.

The consultant explained that the most likely cause of my bleeding is hormonal and that this could have been just a last period and may never happen again. She did take a biopsy but more to pacify me I think !

She said if the bleeding continues I could have a mirena coil or if it’s really bad a hysterectomy which seems a bit drastic. She also explained that when you go through your menopause and are overweight, your levels of oestrogen can remain high. So, the answer for me is to lose some weight and see how the bleeding goes.

Apologies for the long post but if you’re anything like me you’ll be searching for as much information as possible.

Take care and please let me know how you get on

Dawn xxx

[Naneag]

Hi niccik

There's no point in saying don't worry because you will. But be reassured that you are investigated quickly. I have been very fortunate and I have been diagnosed with hyperplasia and just needed a mirena coil fitted but the waiting while they investigate is awful so be kind to yourself and confide in someone who you can talk to when you have a bad day. I hope all goes well. Fingers crossed for you. Karen xx

[Tlynn61]

I had post menopause bleeding and ended up with endometrial cancer. My case is not every case. It was a low grade cancer and surgery was the answer. Try and not worry it could be many things

[AskEveTeam]

Hi there,

We're really sorry to hear that you're having stressful and worrying time at the moment.

Firstly, you have a good GP - They are following a protocol that tells them they should always refer a woman for tests if they have what is know in the medical world as PMB ( post menopausal bleeding).

It can be as they say an early sign of womb cancer that is treatable. It can also be a sign of vaginal atrophy ( basically vaginal skin ageing ) which is not cancer.

The tests are usually done quickly as IF it is an early cancer it can be successfully treated.

If you do have any other questions, or want to talk to our gynae cancer nurse about this more, we are on [e-mail]

Best Wishes,

The Ask Eve Team

[NicciK]

Scans showed nothing unusual..no explained reason for the bleed. We are so lucky to have an NHS system...saw GP...hospital app booked the next morning and seen in 7 days. Great relief but still a bit concerned as to why it happened. Will need to go back if it happens again but apart from that business as usual. Thanks everyone for the support ..it helped massively.

[Kathyjack]

Hi.the same has just happened to me.I'm 49.last period was 3 yrs ago.had a bleed which lasted a day recently.went to go today.have to go to see a physiological consultant.I had a colcolposcopy 11 yrs ago.I had abnormal cells.I'm terrified too but it's better to be safe than sorry and get everything checked out.I also suffer from crippling anxiety.had that since I was 7 yrs old.just remember be strong