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 

  • 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 

  • Hi 

     

    Good luck tomorrow, please let me know how you get on. 

     

    You're the only person Ive seen mention having to have a blood test in relation to this. I had my 50+ health check at the GPs yesterday which included a blood test. Hope you manage to book your's. 

     

    Take care x 

  • 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 

  • Hi Jan 64,  Good luck with your appointment,  hope it goes well , I've just got my first appointment for the hospital next Wednesday. Drs have got my blood test results so I have to ring in the morning to try and get a phone appointment . Why do they make us wait for these things , we need to know asap . Anyway fingers crossed for you . Keep in touch 

  • Hi All, 

    your posts have been good to read.  I'm going through similar - had the non hormonal coil removed nearly three years ago as either it had dislodged and caused a very heavy period, or the period had dislodged it. The heavy period was one of many signs of perimenopause and I went on the pill straight after having the coil removal. Had my last period two and a half years ago, so I thought I was through the menopause, I haven't had any other symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, etc) since then either.

     

    I came off the pill in May and thenlast month I had very sore nipples for a few days and started my period. Heavy, painful, horrible period. I did a bit of research and saw that a one off period isn't unusual so didn't do anything about it. Then last Friday, it was Shark Week again. And heavy, painful, horrible again. Spoke to my doc Monday and she wants to rule out cancer so went in for a cervix exam Tuesday and she took a swab as my next smear is due soon anyway. She referred me for a FSH and Iron levels blood test and I managed to get that done today. I couldn't give blood last month as my iron levels were too low. They want 125 and I was 116 (and 115 and below gets a letter about anaemia sent to your doc).  I'm also referred for an ultrasound but not confirmed if a belly or vagina one, I'm guessing vagina? 

    Did anyone else get their iron levels tested? 

  • Hi LeanneP, my Dr did 3 blood tests and a urine test , didn't explain what they were for and I was too worked up to ask . If I get the chance to speak to them today I will ask this time. I've got my first hospital visit next Wednesday i'll let you know what they do.  It would be nice if everything was explained  better , it would help us stop guessing so much? Good luck and keep in touch .

  • Yes, I had a blood test and my iron levels and fsh were tested (along with urea levels I think).

    The results were sent directly to my consultant and I didnt hear any mention of them again

  • Hi, everything went well yesterday. I managed to finally get in for my blood test last Friday. 

    Yesterday I had an abdominal and vaginal ultrasound scan. Then I went for my hysteroscopy. It really did feel like crampy period pains. There was a huge monitor for the consultant's use and she said it was fine if I wanted to look, or I could just close my eyes or zone out.

    Anyway, I looked at the screen and I was fascinating to look at my own cervix and uterus. The ultrasound showed my uterus wall to be slightly thickened at 5.8mm, but there were no fibroids or polyps and the gynae couldn't find anything concerning. She did take a biopsy as she was there just to be doubly sure, but said that as the bleeding I had described was just like a period (tender swollen breasts, cramping, headache, bleeding for 4-5 days), it was likely that it was exactly that.

    I did experience some pretty bad cramping pain for about half an hour after the procedure (but I think that was more likely from the biopsy). It made my drive home a bit challenging to begin with, as the pain radiated from my lower abdomen down the front of my thighs and made me feel a bit weak and wobbly. However, it soon passed. The bleeding from the procedure has stopped already and I'm completely pain free.

    I've been told that this was probably my body's last attempt at having a period and that if I get another one, I should contact my GP and ask for a blood test to check my hormone levels. 

    Thanks for all your support ladies. I appreciate it. 

    I'll still be around to try to support others who are going through this. 

    All the best to you all.