Post menopausal bleeding is back

Hi. I had a couple of PMB episodes back in June - just like periods and 4 weeks apart. I was 53 and hadn't had a period for a few years. I was fast tracked, scanned and thickening of 7mm found. No signs of polyps. Biopsy taken that day. I was terrified, but it came back all fine with "normal cells" - and I was discharged 

Then in August, I have another bleed - slightly shorter - another 2 weeks later, then two more spotting episodes, 3 weeks apart. 

So now I'm waiting to go back for another scan. I'm not on the fast track now, so I have to wait. But the terror has started all over again ....

Has anyone else been given the all clear after post menopausal bleeding tests, only for the bleeding to continue? What happened? Could the consultant have made a mistake and missed cancer? 

I would love to hear if anyone else has been through this as I cannot find anything on the Internet about continued bleeding without a diagnosis

Thanks

  • Hi MadAI21

    I can understand the fear, as I also had multiple episodes of post menopausal bleeding, which is a red flag for a gynae referral. Not to frighten you, but in my case it was cervical cancer rather than there being anything wrong with my womb itself. I’m just wondering if they have considered that at all? It is not always picked up on an ultrasound, and these types of scans are typically not used to diagnose it. 

    Mine was picked up immediately upon a physical examination at my first gynae appointment and confirmed by biopsy. Have you ever had a physical examination by a gynaecologist? I’m not saying for a moment I think you have cervical cancer and there may be a much less serious reason for your issues, but I think we may all automatically think of womb issues when we have unexplained bleeding. I’m just saying what my personal experience has been. I hope you do find some answers soon. x

  • I had spotting earlier this year - had a scan and then a hysteroscopy. Six weeks after that I had what seemed like a full blown period but no further investigations as it was so recently after the hysto. That was four months ago and to be honest do have a fear at the back of my mind that it will recur - I try and not let it take over my life but there will always be a niggle there.

    I did do some research and the good news is studies have shown no increased risk of endometrial cancer with recurrent episodes as compared to single occurrence (some have suggested it might even be slightly less). 

    pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../

    research.birmingham.ac.uk/.../Recurrent_Climacteric.pdf

    I won't say "don't worry" as that's impossible BUT the statistics are very much on your side.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Hi Minska

    Thanks so much for replying to me. Definitely worth mentioning as the focus is on womb cancer with the bleeding. I've been back tthrough my notes and the discharge letter from the gynecologist said my vagina and cervix were 'normal' so i am hopeful it is not that.

    Best wishes

  • Hi Misty2

    These articles about repeat bleeding are really interesting as it seems it shouldn't ring alarm bells (at least for a few months after a negative cancer result). I may even try to relax a bit as I wait for my repeat TV scan! 

    Thanks so much for the information x