Post menopausal bleeding at age 68

I started bleeding 3 days ago while on holiday. Also period like cramps. I'm 68 and not had a period for over 15 years. Couldn't stop worrying about it and google doesn't help! It could be serious so booked a flight home rather than stay there an extra week. Saw the GP urgently this morning and I've been put on the two week cancer pathway to eliminate endometrial cancer. No idea how I'll get through two weeks I'm so worried. Can anyone who's been through this offer any words of encouragement? How long do you usually wait? What can I expect?. It may not be cancer but that's at the forefront of my mind.

  • Hi DLm, 

    I had a similar episode in 2019 post menopausal so 2ww, saw a gynaecologist and same appointment had a transvaginal scan which also had a good look at the ovaries, I my case there was nothing sinister and it was put down to a ruptured blood vessel. Thankfully it didn't happen again. But i think you should expect a gynae consultation and a TV scan

    I hope all goes well and you dont have to wait too long for your appointment

    best wishes

    HM

  • Thank you very much for the info. I hope I am so lucky!! It's very stressful waiting!!

  • the only advice I can offer is to stay off google - it only seems to give bad outcomes and not mention any of the other possibilities - and also to try and keep yourself busy as the waiting is torture - not just for the initial appointment but for the results too, I did some decorating to keep myself busy!

    My circumstances are different to yours though I was also referred on the 2wk referral for post-menopausal bleeding. The GP told me to call him if I had not heard from the hospital after 2 weeks. I actually heard after 12 days - an appointment by phone for an ultrasound 3 days later and then a phone call the next day to say it would most likely also be a hysteroscopy. So I had the ultrasound and hysteroscopy on the same day. They found a 'suspcious' adnexal mass and took biopsies of the womb lining. I then had blood tests to check for cancer markers. In the next 10 days I then had an MRI and CT scans and then a horrendous 3 week wait for results. Despite all the tests and the worry , the mass turned out to be a number of benign cysts and biospies and blood tests cambe back clear of cancer. So my words of encouragement are perhaps to trust that they are being thorough and not all outcomes are cancer.

  • Such an encouraging post. Thank you very much. You had quite a round of tests there so I can imagine you being worried. I would be!! So happy that things turned out well and I hope I am so lucky!! I have been googling so I will take your advice and find something else to keep me busY! Thanks again.

  • Hi Dlm, I started knitting whilst going through my current cancer situation, I decided to make everyone a hat for xmas, economic saving and keeps my mind off thinking too much. Trying to support others on the forum keeps me off google too

    xx

  • Great idea!!!  Thank you!! It's painting for me. I'll get the art stuff out again!