Post menopausal bleeding

hi I am 51 . No period in 3 years then stared to bleed heavily . Doctor admitted me for scan . Scan showed 6mm womb lining . Ovaries fine cervix fine have been referred for hysterectomy and biopsy . I am so worried .bleeding stopped after about 4 to 5 days . Has anyone been through this I am so worried at the moment thanks 

Parents
  • Hello Luc50,

    I'm in a similar boat.  I am 52.  Hadn't had a period for 18 months, then had bleeding.  Went for an ultrasound and also had a hysteroscopy at the same appointment.  The ultrasound detected the thickness of my uterine lining was at 8mm.  The hysteroscopy showed fibroids.  They took a biopsy and I was told I would get the results in 1-2 weeks time.  It's 2 weeks today and after ringing I was told they have a backlog of typing and so no letter has gone out and they can't give me any information as yet.  My bleeding stopped just under a week ago so I'm pleased about that but the waiting game is tough.  Without having the bleeding, I have been able to forget about things a bit but on the whole have had a pretty rubbish few first weeks with dark thoughts and lots of crying.  I'm now trying to carry on with a positive attitude as there's not much I can do until I get some results.  It is very worrying but in the meantime I keep trying to keep myself informed so that when I get to talk to someone medical, I will at least understand what they're talking about.  I have also started to eat better and tried to lose weight - have lost half a stone in the last two weeks - as I understand that oestrogen excess can be caused by being overweight.  Have you had a hysteroscopy?  Not a pleasant experience!  If you haven't yet, and you have to have one, I only read after having had mine that it helps to take a couple of paracetemol before you have it!  And make sure you have someone who can drive you home afterwards!  I'm presuming that if my biopsy shows that it's got abnormal cells, then I'll be heading for a hysterectomy but if they're not abnormal, it'll be hormone treatment first.  Seems like you've had a different suggestion as to what happens next with your treatment but I would have thought they'd have to see the results of your biopsy before recommending a hysterectomy.  Or maybe they mean a hysteroscopy (the camera) first rather than a hysterectomy?  Anyway, I wish you all the best and to hear from you again.:)

  • Ho ladies.

    I've been down this route and believe me the waiting is by far the worst. Once you know what you’re dealing with, whatever that is, it is much easier. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in April 2018, had a hysterectomy, further surgery for removal of lymph nodes and three sessions of internal radiotherapy. I got my all clear in April of this year and am on regular checks now. 

    Just to say if you have  any questions now or in the future just ask and I’ll be happy to answer them based on my experience.

    Sending a virtual squeeze from my hand to yours.

    Sundial

  • Hi there, glad you went to the gp.  Hospital referral is the best as they can alay your fears and answer your questions.  Im six weeks into hrt and still finding out things that happen to the female person because youre on this treatment so I dont suppose any consultant ever knows everything, but they can have a chat.  Try not to worry too much and feel free to log in here to have a chat.  Ive another week off work but then hope to go back.  Its hard beiong a girl isn it!!!

     

    Take care

  • Yes it's definitely hard being a girl! 
     

    I've got the date for my hospital appt already; Friday of next week. My GP surgery is on the ball with booking appts.

     

    Hope all is going well with you. 
     

    Very best wishes.

  • Hi again everyone.

     

    I had the hysteroscopy 6 days after the ultrasound and was told the fibroids aren't all that big after all.  My lining was 7mm and I had a polyp, the polyp was removed and biopsy of lining taken.  Still waiting for the biopsy result but not nearly as anxious about that as I was about the prospect of the hysteroscopy.  Not sure why it takes 3 weeks to get the result but only one more week to wait hopefully.

     

    For anyone out there who isn't looking forward to the hysteroscopy, my experience was that I was really dreading it but as usually happens, the actual thing was not nearly as difficult as I'd feared.  I took paracetomol and ibuprofen and had a local anaesthetic in my cervix and found it helped just to close my eyes and take deep breaths at the start of the procedure while I got used to it.  While he had access, the Dr also fitted a Mirena coil to release progesterone for the next 4 years.  Felt a bit fragile the rest of the day and was glad I had someone to drive me home but nothing too bad.

     

  • hi there, yes it took about that long for my results too.  I have to have another in January and then another six months after that.  If all is ok, then im disharged.  Meanwhile this hrt milarky is doing my head in.  Finally stopped bleeding after 4 weeks, nothing for two weeks after that and now spotting.  nobody tells you about any of this.  Checked up on it and apparently its normal for between 4-6 months.  GREAT!!!  Back to the old bodiform again!  Oh the joys lol  Oh yes, and hrt affects everything your body goes and I mean everything.  Toilet habits, emotions, bloatedness, you name it, it can happen.  Im  coming back as a chap!!!

  • ps  jealous youve got the mirena coil.  Much better I think

  • Hi, just thought I'd give an update. I received my letter scheduling my ultrasound appointment followed by a hysteroscopy next Wednesday 16th. 

    Still trying to contact the local hospital to get my blood test done though. They currently only have an answerphone where you leave your name and number and they call you back. So far, I've missed their calls to me as I've been driving. Then I have to call them and leave another message and miss that one too!

    Will update you after my hospital appointment next Wednesday.

    Take care x

  • I have been helped greatly by reading these posts. I have had 1 period per year since 2015! In August 2019 I had a mirena coil removed after 8 years. 1 month after that I suffered a massive bleed that lasted for 2 weeks. I was given tranexamic acid at A&E to stop it which it did straightaway. I had a scan and hysteroscopy which was clear. They said it was just my body reacting to the removal of the coil. Exactly a year on I'm having another period. It is exactly like a period, sore breasts, fairly heavy bright red bleeding, heavy low abdomen etc. I have a telephone appointment with my GP on Thursday but doing research has put the frighteners on me. Thank you for listening it helps 

  • Just found this site, I have PMB , seen Dr now waiting for hospital app. Started bleeding 3 days ago , feels like a period .  Not had  period for over 2 years then before that had a Morena coil so nothing for 10 years so this is A big shock , scared myself silly  reading  the web  you ladies are helping to calm me a bit, so thanks. One minute I'm saying it is what it is the next my heart is racing. I've never been good at waiting so this is hard. Good luck everyone ! 

  • Hi Alison

     

    Yes, the waiting is almost the worst thing! I had my initial hospital scans and checks on 12th August, booked for a hysteroscopy next Thursday - such a long gap, which I'm hoping means they didnt see anything too worrying. Didnt get any official results from the hospital though and my GP surgery havent either. It is scary when you search online, but this group definitely helps. Let me know how you get on. 

     

    Janet 

  • Hi

     

    Thankyou for letting me know about your experience of the hysteroscopy - mine is next Thursday and I have been feeling anxious about it, partly because of the long wait since my original scans (12th August). I hate needles so Im hoping not to need any anaesthetic, but will dose up on paracetamol and ibuprofen. I had a general 50+ health check at my GP surgery yesterday and that involved a blood test, but they had no notes about my hospital scans. Not looking forward to having to wait another month until I get some results! Trying to put it to the back of my mind, but sometimes it's difficult. Good to be able to share experiences and worries on here! 

    Take care x 

Reply
  • Hi

     

    Thankyou for letting me know about your experience of the hysteroscopy - mine is next Thursday and I have been feeling anxious about it, partly because of the long wait since my original scans (12th August). I hate needles so Im hoping not to need any anaesthetic, but will dose up on paracetamol and ibuprofen. I had a general 50+ health check at my GP surgery yesterday and that involved a blood test, but they had no notes about my hospital scans. Not looking forward to having to wait another month until I get some results! Trying to put it to the back of my mind, but sometimes it's difficult. Good to be able to share experiences and worries on here! 

    Take care x 

Children
  • I wasn't particularly aware of actually being given the local anaesthetic, Dr just told me he was going to do it, so I hope you have a similar experience. 
     

    I got my result today and was told my womb lining is normal so no further tests needed. Just to go to GP if I have recurring bleeding or another episode of bleeding more than 6 months from now. Plus I have to see the GP in a few weeks to make sure Mirena coil strings are in right place.  It seems it might be quite common to have a very late last period of sorts a couple years after the last one. Nothing much about that online, I guess so as not to make women think they won't bother to going to see their GP if they have a bleed as it's important to get it checked.  I'm going to make a big effort to lose weight now as well as the Dr told me what I'd also read, that fat cells produce oestrogen, which thickens the womb lining. Hence why he put in the Mirena coil to counteract the oestrogen with progesterone but my goal is to not need a replacement when it's time to have it removed!

     

    All the best anyway!

  • Hi

     

    Glad to hear your results have come back ok. 

     

    it does seem that a very late period is a possibility, but the medical profession don't want anyone just assuming it's that and not getting checked out. The consultant I saw also stressed the importance of weight so I know that I need to address that as well. Definitely gone off track during lockdown, especially as I was made redundant in February. Need to get my head in the right place - did Slimming World a couple of years ago and lost over 2 1/2 stone, but it's mostly crept back on. 

     

    I thought the muzzy headedness of the menopause, insomnia, weak bladder etc was bad enough! 

     

    Take care x