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Menopause (Expert Forum)
Bleeding won't stop.
Answered by
Machelle Seibel, MD - Women's Health, menopause, ReproductiveMedicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
MA
Questions in the Menopause forum are answered by Dr. Machelle Seibel. Topics covered include menopause issues, depression, hormone replacement therapy , hot flashes, joint or muscle problems, memory problems, mood swings, osteoporosis , sexual problems, skin changes, sleeping problems, vaginal problems, and weight problems.
Bleeding won't stop.
by Anya2, Apr 24, 2006 12:00AM
How long is too long to bleed? It's been 9 weeks and I'm still bleeding. Is this normal for menopause?
Last time I was at the doctor (a follow up on my diabetes) I told her that my last period lasted 6 weeks and was very heavy. She said since I'm 46 I'm probably starting early menopause, she said heavy prolonged bleeding is normal and she'll only worry if I bleed when I'm not suppose to.
Well how do I know when I'm not suppose to be bleeding when it's irregular anyway? That period lasted for 6 weeks, very heavy with clotting. My next period came on time and lasted 1 week. Then I skipped the next period. Then when the next one was due it started on time but now it is still going. The first 2 weeks were very light, then the next 4 weeks were very heavy with clots. Then 1 week of medium flow. Then the last 2 weeks were light to spotting. I thought it was going to finally stop because I had slight spotting yesterday and then nothing all day. But NO it didn't stop. Last night right back to heavy again!
Is this normal for menopause or is there something else going on? I don't want to go back to the doctor and feel silly if she again tells me this is normal. I don't have any other symptoms at all, just the continued bleeding and a little tired. The heavy part doesn't concern me but the 9 weeks does.
Last time I was at the doctor (a follow up on my diabetes) I told her that my last period lasted 6 weeks and was very heavy. She said since I'm 46 I'm probably starting early menopause, she said heavy prolonged bleeding is normal and she'll only worry if I bleed when I'm not suppose to.
Well how do I know when I'm not suppose to be bleeding when it's irregular anyway? That period lasted for 6 weeks, very heavy with clotting. My next period came on time and lasted 1 week. Then I skipped the next period. Then when the next one was due it started on time but now it is still going. The first 2 weeks were very light, then the next 4 weeks were very heavy with clots. Then 1 week of medium flow. Then the last 2 weeks were light to spotting. I thought it was going to finally stop because I had slight spotting yesterday and then nothing all day. But NO it didn't stop. Last night right back to heavy again!
Is this normal for menopause or is there something else going on? I don't want to go back to the doctor and feel silly if she again tells me this is normal. I don't have any other symptoms at all, just the continued bleeding and a little tired. The heavy part doesn't concern me but the 9 weeks does.
Doctor's Answer
by Machelle Seibel, MD, Apr 24, 2006 12:00AM
, Apr 24, 2006 12:00AM
A. Don’t feel silly. Nine weeks of bleeding isn’t normal and it is time to be evaluated. You might be entering menopause or it might be due to something else. Get a pregnancy test. If negative then we know the bleeding isn’t due to that. You also should start on some vitamins (multivitamins) and some over the counter iron tablets. Take three iron tablets daily. It is also a good idea to have a complete blood count done to see if you are getting anemic (your blood is too low).
Many times with bleeding like yours, the doctor will get an endometrial biopsy. That is an office procedure where a thin instrument is placed inside the uterus and a few cells of the lining are scraped out and looked at under a microscope. It is a screening test for uterine cancer and also tells if the lining is normal or abnormal. Sometimes doctors get an ultrasound of the uterus to see if the bleeding is due to a polyp or a fibroid. Both are benign problems but can cause abnormal bleeding. After the cause is understood, hormones might be used to control the bleeding. Usually a month or two will do the trick.
Sometimes a D & C is necessary. That is a minor procedure done in the operating room with light anesthesia. It is like the endometrial biopsy but the entire lining is scraped off to stop the bleeding. Sometimes at the same time a small telescope is put into the uterus to look at the lining and see if there is any problem. Both are relatively minor and people usually go home the same day after a few hours of recovery.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
Many times with bleeding like yours, the doctor will get an endometrial biopsy. That is an office procedure where a thin instrument is placed inside the uterus and a few cells of the lining are scraped out and looked at under a microscope. It is a screening test for uterine cancer and also tells if the lining is normal or abnormal. Sometimes doctors get an ultrasound of the uterus to see if the bleeding is due to a polyp or a fibroid. Both are benign problems but can cause abnormal bleeding. After the cause is understood, hormones might be used to control the bleeding. Usually a month or two will do the trick.
Sometimes a D & C is necessary. That is a minor procedure done in the operating room with light anesthesia. It is like the endometrial biopsy but the entire lining is scraped off to stop the bleeding. Sometimes at the same time a small telescope is put into the uterus to look at the lining and see if there is any problem. Both are relatively minor and people usually go home the same day after a few hours of recovery.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
