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

Bev67, so sorry to hear about your dreadful experience. I can't fault the speed of my referrals or attention I have received but it's such a stressful time that nobody should have that on top. You must now put that behind you and I hope they now find the cause of your problem and a solution quickly. Best wishes.

How awful for you Bev67.

It took a long time, but after a similar experience to you it was decided after 1 year of cancelled appointments that I had just had a late period.

Which is kind of what I thought all along!

You are right to want to get this checked out, but it's most likely not serious.

Best wishes

Hi 

thank you for your kind message. It is reassuringly....thank you! ..I have to say I’m worried about being too confident just in case....

bev67 

Sorry to hear about this.  I had a similar experience. Had one heavy bleed 12 months after menopause (I'm 54).  It felt like a period, had very sore breasts before but it was much heavier and lasted longer than my previous periods but completely stopped after 8 days.  That was on 3rd June and I've had no bleeding at all since.   I only had a biopsy and saw a Dr for the first time 3 weeks ago but it was inconclusive so had a hysteroscopy 2 weeks ago and I'm still waiting for the results.  That's 3 months now of uncertainty and worry despite my supposedly been fast tracked to be seen in 2 weeks! The gynaecologist told me on the day of my hysteroscopy that my uterus looked completely normal even though a scan had shown thickening of 9mm.  I'm hanging on his words but realise I can't be sure until the biopsy results come back.  The waiting is getting me down.  I tried to go to my local private hospital too but they were so booked up as no one was getting seen on the NHS.  Then fortunately I did get an appt but it had certainly been a long wait.  I got a phone call after a week about the first biopsy result when the Dr phoned to tell me it had been inconclusive.  I'm thinking they must now know the results of the hysteroscopy biopsy after 2 weeks so I'm phoning on Monday.  

Hi

People shouldn’t be left in this kind of flux. Keep phoning and phoning.  And keep ttrying private consultants at private hospital in case of cancellation...which is what happened to me.  They can access your medical records.

GP surgerys and NHS is bad state....I don’t believe there is an excuse apart from years of too many middle managers and too many private companies operating within and under the the infrastructure of the NHS.  Last 30 to 40 years has seen the gap between the have and have nots increase beyond our comprehension....I think 1% of the population own 99% of the wealth.

Going private was something I felt I had no choice but to do. It’s not right but there we are.  The service I got was excellent and comforting..  Off tor ultrasound tomorrow!  I have no regrets but lots of sadness at how this country has allowed the precious NHS to become business focused as opposed to community and patient focused.

And to add to that there isn’t many balanced articles online about post menopausal bleeding.  I found this one which I felt was uplifting 

keep fighting for your answers! And keep smiling.

x

Thanks for your reply, it really helps, especially the article via the link in your message.  It is an 'uplifting article as you say'.  I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed that my biopsy will be normal.  If the nasties are ruled out I suppose any bleeding will be put down to 'one of those things'. I've since found out that my grandmother had the most horrendous bleeding during and after the menopause and she was virtually house bound for a few years.  She lived to 100 and no tests were done back then.  They just got on with it.  She also had a lot of stress at that time as her son had been killed in a car crash so this thinking of stress causing bleeds certainly has some merit.  I've had a lot of worry this year so maybe that was it ‍♀️.  I'll chase my biopsy results this week.  Hope anyone also waiting for results gets good news x

Thanks for that Bev67 and Marywj. I understand genetics can  play a part too. I hope so because I'm relying, naively perhaps, on the fact my great grandmother was reputedly still menstruating in her mid sixties. I'm now wondering if she was potentially suffering from same cause as me but lack of testing/knowledge would never have shown otherwise. She lived to be almost 90 so, and without treatment, it presumably was nothing sinister. Unfortunately the next 2 generations had hysterectomies so I've nothing to compare there. I'm just holding steadfast to great grandmother's experience and the  fact consultant says it's probably hormonal ovarian activity. Still scared out of my mind every time it happens but good to read Michelle Tyler's account now too - sounds so like my own, although I'm not sure about suffering from any obvious stress factors (save now for the bleeding).

Being able to see responses on here and 'chat' with you ladies has been such a help to me after 3 months of uncertainty and waiting.  I'm very happy that I managed to speak to my consultants secretary this morning who told me the biopsy was all fine and no further follow up is needed.  It seems that after all, my bleed was just one of those things.  It's a horrible experience going through this process and a very worrying time, but there is always a very good chance it's nothing sinister so my message is, you will worry, but try to stay positive as there is so much it can be other than cancer or as in my case, nothing at all.  Thinking of everyone waiting for results.  Stay busy, and stay positive xx

Hi I hadn't had a period for 3 years doctor said I was going into early menopause I'm only 44 now I took a very heavy bleed few months ago went to hospital had a scan and something showed up in my womb after a biopsy I was told it wasn't cancer (thankfully) but now 3 months on I've taken another very very heavy bleed but this time with sever back pain now I'm waiting on doctors to call me back. Help should I be concerned 

Hi I'm the same I'm 51 haven't had a period for 3 years I've been bleeding tonight should I be worried my nipples have been hurting the past few days and I've had back pain and stomach cramps my only problem is I've never been told I'm in the menopause or been tested for it I'll phone my doctors in the morning and hopefully get seen cuz with covid still around the doctors only call me and only allowed to go to the doctors if it's nessacery too. 

Hi I'm the same I'm 51 haven't had a period for 3 years I've been bleeding tonight should I be worried my nipples have been hurting the past few days and I've had back pain and stomach cramps my only problem is I've never been told I'm in the menopause or been tested for it I'll phone my doctors in the morning and hopefully get seen cuz with covid still around the doctors only call me and only allowed to go to the doctors if it's nessacery too. 

Hi, am so glad I found this chat now, your truths and support for each other has been so uplifting. You all deserve a hug but a few stood out for me. The support of SUNDIAL to others is tremendous, the friendship between MURF and FLO25 is delightful and as for MENORCA456 and HAIRDRESSERSTAR, so sad but I hope things are good for you. I just had to post this because you have all helped me get through the night.

I'm 55 and had my last period in March 2014. Post menopause began with a bang but I coped for 2 years before going to my doctor in March 2016, my 50th present to myself, I asked for HRT. All the symptoms were abated. Although I still had moments of virginal dryness and a few more night sweats. But it did boost my sex drive! So I had to find a man lol.

In 2018, my nipples became very sore and tender, the next month I noticed a lump. I went straight to my doctor and she examined me and referred me straight away for a mammogram. This was done at the hospital and I received my results straight away. It was nothing sinister.

My nipples continued to be tender and life moved on. Then in November/December 2020 I wiped myself and found red blood, I thought I had scratched myself and moved on. Lockdown had hit nine months earlier but my weight stayed the same until January 2021, however my diet hadn't changed. I now began to notice how bloated I was, more often than not but still nothing clicked in my mind.

I spotted twice more with the third in June. I now told my daughters who of course told me off and ordered me to ring the doctors! I had changed doctors in September 2020 after having a fantastic relationship with my last female doctor for over sixteen years. I just couldn't bring myself to talk to the new ones for the first time about spotting! Well of course fourth time happened and I made the call August 20th ; Two Week Fast Track.

29.08 Utrasound Scan -  My Endometrial was only 4.4 but I had loads of scar tissue due to three caesarians. 

29.08 Hysteroscopy (straight after scan) - Found out my cervix is tilted, (that's why I always had a hard time at Smear Test!) He couldn't do the exam because of above.

06.09 Hysteroscopy under Local Anaesthetic - found Polyp near entrance and my Endometrial was thicker than first thought but due to pain and being tense - 

01.10 Hysteroscopy under General Anesthetic - Polyp off to labs, biopsy taken of Endometrial and found I had a fibroid too! 

NOW FOR THE WAIT OF RESULTS 

Hence here I am, nearly 6am and of course no sleep (still not tired,) I found google and absolutely nothing on postmenopausal bleeding! I actually shut the tablet down and tried to sleep but I opened it up and found, all of you inspiring women because you told your stories, I was able to rethink my whole experience and wonder if it all started back in 2016 or 2018. 

I have had my two vaccine jabs and my dates of recurring spotting were before them, but how wonderful, through chatting, this has been mentioned and discussed with medics.

Sorry, such a long saga but its help me put it all down here and of course get me through the night. My two year grandson is awake and calling for Nanny and not mummy or daddy, lol 

Thank you, stay safe everyone.

Hi there, my word you've had a worrying time.  I'm glad the medical field us looking after you so well.  Fingers crossed it'll be something and nothing.  I had a similar experience last year, endometrial hyperplasia was diagnosed.  Had three hystericopies, how painful are they!, And am now discharged as nothing found. Try not to worry, you've done all the right things and there's nothing more you can do right now.  Enjoy your grandson, they don't stay little fir long!  Best wishes to you.

Thank you :happy:

Hi CoffeeCream

So glad you found us all on this forum when you needed help and support ... exactly same as I did - awake in the early hours, worrying yourself to death imaging the worst case scenario.  Good to hear you've been and had the investigations done - very common to find fibroids apparently (my scan nurse said 8 out of 10 scans she does she finds fibroids that you'd no idea you had!).   Waiting for the results is the next tough bit, but hopefully yours too will be ok.  Fingers crossed and will be thinking of you.  Love Murf. Xx