Post Menopausal Bleeding

I am 65 and had an early menopause at about 45. I have had 3 episodes of some post menopausal bleeding over the last 2 months. It’s been very light, and just been a one off thing each time. I have a cervical smear test booked for the week after next . I’m wondering if I should chat to my GP before that though? Also I feel bloated, but I’m not sure if that’s just psychological! 

Parents
  • Hi Wiseowl1, 

    You should tell your GP and insist that you need a follow-up check or scan. Only a scan and then maybe a biopsy can tell what it is really happening. 

    My story was that I was ignored by my GP as they thought I was too young to have womb cancer. After many times of being dismissed and lost in referring for a scan, I went to a private hospital for a check-up. Then I was found having stage 2 grade 2 endometrial cancer. 

    Take care and good luck!

    Chui

  • Thank you for replying. I hope you are doing ok?! Do you mind me asking what your symptoms were and what your treatment was? 
    Thank you. 

  • I started having very heavy periods since I was 44. Then when I was 46, I had no periods for months but light spotting irregularly especially after going to the toilet or having sex. No pain, just a few drops of blood on tissue paper. Given my age and the mild symptoms, my GP did not think it was anything serious. 

    But lucky that I insisted I needed to find out what I was dealing with, so I went for the private scan clinic n private doctor consultation. The doctor in the private hospital also worked at the NHS. After the scan in his private hospital office, he immediately booked me in for the biopsy at his NHS office. Then the biopsy result led to a total hysterectomy and confirming it was in fact grade 2 stage 2 endometrial cancer. A month after the hysterectomy, I had radiotherapy:21 rounds external, 5 rounds internal. I had no discomfort or any symptoms before the operation. The hysterectomy went well. I left the hospital in 2 days. The healing process was smooth. I could walk and lead a normal life l, although in a much slower pace, since the 2nd week after the operation. The radiotherapy also went well. I was lucky that although it was during Covid, my sessions were not disrupted. The staff were all very caring and supportive. I felt I was well looked after and indeed the treatment did not make me feel embarrassed nor discomfort. The staff reminded me that I could have stomach ache n diarrhoea after the radiotherapy. However, I had the opposite: finding hard to have bowel movements. This problem disappeared slowly. 

    As I entered menopause immediately after hysterectomy, the expected menopausal symptoms appear but luckily they are just minor ones. I am now 50. 

    Hope my story helps! Take care and wish you best of luck!

    Chui

Reply
  • I started having very heavy periods since I was 44. Then when I was 46, I had no periods for months but light spotting irregularly especially after going to the toilet or having sex. No pain, just a few drops of blood on tissue paper. Given my age and the mild symptoms, my GP did not think it was anything serious. 

    But lucky that I insisted I needed to find out what I was dealing with, so I went for the private scan clinic n private doctor consultation. The doctor in the private hospital also worked at the NHS. After the scan in his private hospital office, he immediately booked me in for the biopsy at his NHS office. Then the biopsy result led to a total hysterectomy and confirming it was in fact grade 2 stage 2 endometrial cancer. A month after the hysterectomy, I had radiotherapy:21 rounds external, 5 rounds internal. I had no discomfort or any symptoms before the operation. The hysterectomy went well. I left the hospital in 2 days. The healing process was smooth. I could walk and lead a normal life l, although in a much slower pace, since the 2nd week after the operation. The radiotherapy also went well. I was lucky that although it was during Covid, my sessions were not disrupted. The staff were all very caring and supportive. I felt I was well looked after and indeed the treatment did not make me feel embarrassed nor discomfort. The staff reminded me that I could have stomach ache n diarrhoea after the radiotherapy. However, I had the opposite: finding hard to have bowel movements. This problem disappeared slowly. 

    As I entered menopause immediately after hysterectomy, the expected menopausal symptoms appear but luckily they are just minor ones. I am now 50. 

    Hope my story helps! Take care and wish you best of luck!

    Chui

Children