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

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. 

Hi there, thats great news.  I had exactly the same thing, but the consultant decided on hrt to prevent endometrial build up.  What a nightmare that was for the first 4 or 5 weeks.  Still, I persevered and to date, bleeding has stopped but I still get the bloating.  My consultant said my lining was slightly thickened, had a biopsy to make doubly sure, then came the provera hrt tablets.  Maybe thats what will happen with you, who knows.  Lets hope alls well with you.  I had to wait a couple of weeks or the biopsy result.  Good luck x

Hi 

Thanks, glad it went ok and there doesnt seem to be anything alarming.

Im hoping to get someone to drive me when I go for my hysteroscopy next week. Did you need local anaesthetic or was it ok without? I do wish they'd done it on the same day as my ultrasounds to get it over with - it seems as if I've had this hanging over me for ages now! I keep trying to put it to the back of my mind, but then I can't help thinking, what if? Had no sign of further bleeding since the incident mid July so hoping it was a one off late period.

It really is so good to have this forum to share our worries and experiences.

Take care 

Janet x 

Hi 

What's FSH? I had blood tests at the GP on Monday and surgery called back yesterday to say I need a repeat one in 3 months as one test was slightly raised but the person calling didnt know what it was - i think it must be the one for diabetes as i know I need to lose weight - lockdown plus stress eating! No mention of linking blood tests to the bleeding concern. 

It's all very confusing. 

GP still has no results from my hospital tests early August either. The consultant on the day did tell me the computer system was down so I'm worried the results have got lost. 

Hi 

What's FSH? I had blood tests at the GP on Monday and surgery called back yesterday to say I need a repeat one in 3 months as one test was slightly raised but the person calling didnt know what it was - i think it must be the one for diabetes as i know I need to lose weight - lockdown plus stress eating! No mention of linking blood tests to the bleeding concern. 

It's all very confusing. 

GP still has no results from my hospital tests early August either. The consultant on the day did tell me the computer system was down so I'm worried the results have got lost. 

FSH stands for follicle stimulating hormone, it's the hormone that makes the ovaries release an egg each cycle. High levels usually mean you're menopausal. 
 

I'll be honest, this second period has me freaked out. Has anyone here had more than one?

No further bleeding after one-off period (I hope), but I have cramping regularly, which was a symptom I had for the first year after I stopped bleeding. It's like a phantom period. I feel like I've wound the clock back three years. Lots of hot flushes at night, headaches. Very frustrating as I thought the worst of the menopause was over.

My consultant did say if I had another bleed they would do a hysteroscopy, which I assume would be to completely eliminate the possibility. The scan I had in July showed my lining was okay. I keep expecting to see blood, but so far, fingers crossed, nothing. It's hard not to worry, but he assured me these symptoms are usually not caused by cancer.

I've not been on any pill, HRT or coils fitted, since I have a clotting disorder, so I have to go with these symptoms and do the best I can.

Good luck

My blood test results are back - full blood and ESR are normal, but iron is at 7 when the normal range is 11 to 30, so that's confirms low iron. And that's with me taking over the counter iron and vitamins tablets. 
 

The FSH result came back as 6.5, which would be normal if I wasn't peri-menopausal, menopausal, or post-menopausal. But I've had the symptoms of the menopause and a two year gap between periods, so that's one for the doctor when I speak to her on Monday. 
 

Raej, it is hard not to worry.  There really should be more research into this.  I know everyone will have a different experience of the menopause, but there must be enough similarities to be able to educate us on what we can possibly expect. I thought it was hot flashes, night sweats and no periods. But there's also hair loss, hair gain, weight loss, weight gain, heart palpitations, periods can come and go, and so on and so on. I had no idea it's possible for one last period until I had that one last month, two years after my last period. 

Hi all 

Has anyone noticed any weight loss since starting this post menopausal bleeding? In 16 days I've lost 6lb .I need to lose some weight and have been watching what I eat but I've tried that before and nothing happened .So worried that it's happening now . My hospital appointment is this Wednesday , I hope it will still be happening what with this covid rising again . The waiting is dreadful.

No, I've put some on which I've put down to the lockdown and not walking to work. 
 

I'll keep my fingers crossed for good news for you on Wednesday. 

Yes, aged 62 and no periods for nearly 3 years I freaked back in May when I wiped and found blood. To be honest I'd been having crazy premenstrual type symptoms for a week and even my husband had commented that he didn't know why my irritability levels were off the scale. I rang the GP immediately and at the hospital they did a trans-vaginal scan, biopsy and C25 blood test (negative result). A small cyst on one ovary was noted (right size to be a discarded egg follicle) and when biopsy came back as insufficient tissue sample I was asked to return for a hysteroscopy where all looked  healthy except for a small polyp which was removed and subsequent sample result was negative. I go back next month for another scan to check the cyst. Staff thought bleeding could be attributable to atrophy but acknowledged possibility that it had resulted from ovulation and if I had further bouts of bleeding before the next scan not to worry. Needless to say I've now had 4 similar very light and short "periods" since, at regular 34 day intervals. Would comment that for 2 years I was on medication for another condition which is not recommended if you are seeking to become pregnant as it can suppress fertility whilst you take it. The consultant maintains, however, that she's unaware of a medical link between that and whatever my body is now doing.

Hi all,  I agree, this menopause lark is a nightmare.  Im 8 weeks into hrt and what an 8 weeks its been.  All because my body decided to throw a wobbly back in July.  I had an ultra sound that revealed my lining was a tiny bit thick so was prescribed 10mg provera.  EEEEKK, 4 weeks continual heavy bleeding with all the cramps etc.  The bleeding has since subsided but there is still a bit of discharge which Im told is "normal".  Now its the bloating and discomfort of that, along with sometimes the need to dash to the loo.  IBS symptoms are also a thing so Im told!!!  Im coming back as a man!!!

Hi ladies

I had a covid test today after being called yesterday afternoon (Sunday) by the hospital to say I need to be screened before my hysteroscopy on Thursday. Good to know they're being careful. Hopefully all ok as I don't want any further delay. Also got some great news today that I've got a new job after being made redundant in February so need the all clear health wise too.  Don't like the sound of HRT with all the side effects. I've felt absolutely fine since the one heavy bleed in July. 

Hello everyone, 

Well done on the new job Jan 64 that's great! Good luck for your appointment too . I had mine today and thankfully all's well. Had an ultrasound scan and then camera scan , blood tests clear ,  so I've been discharged. Dr said my bleed was more than likely a late after effect from the mirena /a surge in hormone ? She said that although we shouldn't have a bleed after menopause it does happen and that there isn't always a reason . Also if there's a repeat episode get checked out again . Best wishes everyone in your own journey with PMB x

Hi

Thanks. Glad to hear that your appointment went well today. Feeling a bit anxious about mine tomorrow but I'll be glad to get it over with. Heard nothing after my covid test so that must be clear. Trying to think positively and that it was just a one off, late bleed. I'll update everyone after my appointment. 

Take care ladies & thank you all for your support. 

Jx